釋氏要覽 1.409

1.409

佛地論云。任持名食。謂能任持色身。令不斷壞。長養善法。又資益義。若未噉及入腹。未消化并為患者。皆不成食義。至經口入腹消化。流入五臟。充浹四肢。補氣益肌。方成食義。

The Fotidi lun states: Sustaining is called food; it means being able to sustain the physical body, preventing it from breaking down, and nourishing wholesome dharmas. Furthermore, it has the meaning of nourishing and benefiting. If it is not yet eaten, or has entered the stomach but is not yet digested, or causes illness, none of these constitutes the meaning of food. Only when it passes through the mouth, enters the stomach, is digested, flows into the five viscera, pervades the four limbs, supplements qi, and benefits the flesh, does it constitute the meaning of food.