釋氏要覽 2.296

2.296

又云旋遶。此方稱行道○西域記云。西天隨所宗事禮後皆須旋遶。蓋歸敬之至也。唯佛法右遶。法苑云。順天行也。若匝數則不定。若三匝表三業也。七匝表七支。如經云百千匝無數匝。但以多為數。表敬之極也○賢者五戒經云。旋塔三匝。表敬三尊。為滅三毒故○提謂經。問散華。燒香。燃燈。禮拜。是為供養。旋遶得何等福。佛言有五福。一後世得端正好色。二好聲。三得生（天上）四生王侯家。五得泥洹道○三千威儀經云。旋遶有五事。一低頭視地。二不得蹈虫。三不得左右視。四不得唾地。五不得與人語話。

This is also called "circling around"; in this land it is called "practicing the way" (xingdao).\n\nThe Xiyu ji says: In Western India, whatever one venerates, after paying homage one must circumambulate it; this represents the utmost taking refuge and reverence. Only in the Buddha's Dharma does one circumambulate to the right. The Fayuan says: This accords with the movement of heaven. The number of circumambulations is not fixed. Three circuits represent the three karmas; seven circuits represent the seven limbs [of enlightenment]. As the sūtras say, hundreds of thousands of circuits or countless circuits simply take quantity to express the utmost reverence.\n\nThe Xianzhi wujie jing says: Circling a stupa three times represents reverence for the Three Jewels, in order to extinguish the three poisons.\n\nThe Tiwei jing asks: Scattering flowers, burning incense, lighting lamps, and prostrating constitute offerings; what kind of merit does circumambulating obtain? The Buddha said there are five blessings: first, in a future life one obtains an upright and handsome appearance; second, a pleasant voice; third, rebirth [in heaven]; fourth, rebirth in a royal or noble family; fifth, attaining the path of nirvāṇa.\n\nThe Sanqian weiyi jing says: There are five things in circumambulating: first, bow the head and look at the ground; second, do not step on insects; third, do not look left or right; fourth, do not spit on the ground; fifth, do not converse with people.