諸經要集 8.83

8.83

The Buddha told the Lord of the Devas: "Among the ninety-six paths, the Buddha's path is the most exalted. Among the ninety-six teachings, the Buddha's Dharma is the truest. Among the ninety-six saṃghas, the Buddha's saṃgha is the most correct. Why is this? Because the Tathāgata, across asaṃkhyeya-kalpas, made sincere and truthful vows, laid down his life to amass virtue, and vowed for the sake of sentient beings to fully possess the six pāramitās, the four immeasurables, and all good deeds, perfecting and consummating wisdom so that none among the devas and exalted beings of the three realms could equal him. If there are sentient beings who produce a single thought of reverence toward the Tathāgata, it surpasses the giving of the precious gems of a great thousandfold world. The thirty-seven factors of awakening and the twelve divisions of scripture analyze transgressions and merits, and their words are all most sincere. They open up the teachings of the three vehicles so that all may practice them. Those who hear them rejoice and delight in becoming śramaṇas; they have faith in the Buddha, practice the Dharma, their aspirations are pure and lofty, they renounce worldly greed and contention, and guide worldly merit. That the path between devas and humans is kept open is due to the saṃgha. This is the most exalted and unexcelled path."