諸經要集 8.87

8.87

Furthermore, the Zuifu jueyi jing says: "Monks, nuns, and laypeople may either donate their own wealth or solicit and obtain goods intended for the Buddha's use. If the manager takes these goods to make images of birds and beasts and places them upon the Buddha's tray, and the calculated loss reaches the value of five coins, he commits an unpardonable sin that cannot ultimately be remedied; for one kalpa he falls into the Avīci Hell. If he redeems it for fragrant oil and lamps as offerings, there is no transgression. The Buddha does not seek profit, and no human can consume [what belongs to the Buddha]. When first presenting [food] to the Buddha, the high, middle, and low seats must instruct the laypeople to present it to the Buddha and the saṃgha. Once presented to the Buddha, distributing it to the saṃgha to eat is not a transgression. If this is not done, then because of eating the Buddha's property, one falls into the Avīci Hell for a thousand koṭis of years. If the dānapati does not accept this instruction, he likewise incurs this retribution. If born among humans, for nine million years he falls into low and vile births. Why? Because no one can set a price on the Buddha's property." (The compiler remarks: This means that if the donor intended it definitely for the Buddha's use, it must therefore be redeemed. If, as in present times at vegetarian feasts, food is offered on the Buddha's tray with an understanding that applies mutually without rigid clinging, then after eating it is returned to the donor without the need for redemption. For example, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, offerings are made to the Buddha and the saṃgha, and when there is no physical Buddha or saṃgha to use it, one must redeem the food with goods according to the sūtra's teaching on offering to the Buddha and the saṃgha at pravāraṇā. The Buddha and the saṃgha are fields of merit whose noble way aids the underworld, so that deceased relatives of seven generations and living family members may be freed from disaster and ascend cleanly to joyful places. Because laypeople are a thin field that cannot guide and assist, it is not extended to the secular. Having frequently seen laypeople consume what has been offered to the Buddha as their own food, I have recorded this special note.)