釋氏要覽 1.465

1.465

僧祇云。如來以一食故。身體輕便。得安樂住。汝等比丘。亦應一食。一食故身體輕。便得安樂住○又佛制一食而有四意。一為破自餓外道。二為育身中諸蟲。三為施主受用作福。四為資養色身大種將進道故。

The Mahāsāṃghika[-vinaya] states: Because the Tathāgata takes one meal a day, his physical body is light and nimble, and he abides in peace and bliss. You bhikṣus should also take one meal a day. Because of taking one meal, the physical body is light, and one readily abides in peace and bliss. ○ Furthermore, the Buddha instituted one meal for four reasons: first, to refute the non-Buddhists who starve themselves; second, to nurture the parasites within the body; third, so that the donor's offerings generate merit through being enjoyed; fourth, to nourish the great elements of the physical form so as to advance along the path.