釋氏要覽 2.266

2.266

報恩經云。佛以法為師。佛從法生。法是佛母。佛依法住。於三寶中。何不以法為初。佛言。法雖是佛師。而非佛不弘。所謂道由人弘。是故佛先。法後也。右法寶訖。

The Bao'en jing states: 'The Buddha takes the Dharma as his teacher. The Buddha is born from the Dharma. The Dharma is the mother of the Buddha. The Buddha abides by relying on the Dharma. Among the Three Jewels, why is the Dharma not placed first?' The Buddha said: 'Although the Dharma is the teacher of the Buddha, without the Buddha it cannot be propagated. As the saying goes, "The Way is propagated by humans"; therefore, the Buddha comes first and the Dharma second.' Here concludes the Jewel of the Dharma.