釋氏要覽 2.300

2.300

智度論問。云何名師子座。為佛化作為實師子為金銀木石作耶。答云是號師子座。非實也。佛為人中師子。凡佛所坐。若床若地。皆名師子座。夫師子獸中獨步無畏。能伏一切。佛亦如是。於九十六種外道。一切人天中。一切降伏。得無所畏。故稱人中師子。

The Mahāprajñāpāramitōpadeśa asks: Why is it called a lion seat? Is it magically created by the Buddha, or a real lion, or made of gold, silver, wood, or stone? The answer states: It is named a lion seat; it is not a real lion. The Buddha is a lion among men. Whatever the Buddha sits upon, whether a couch or the ground, is called a lion seat. Now, the lion walks alone and fearless among beasts, able to subdue everything; the Buddha is also like this: among the ninety-six kinds of heterodox paths, and among all humans and devas, he subdues everything and attains fearlessness; hence he is called a lion among men.