釋氏要覽 1.435

1.435

The Samantapāsādikā says: "Fenwei (分衛) is called 'begging for food' here [in Chinese]." The Mahāsāṃghika[-vinaya] says: "Begging for food: one apportions (fen 分) and gives to monks and nuns, and protects and guards (wei 衛) them, enabling them to cultivate the path's practice; hence it is called fenwei." The Fajijing says: "Those who go forth to accomplish the path and practice begging for food do so to shatter all arrogance." The Twelve Dhūtas Sūtra says: "There are three kinds of food: first, food received through invitation; second, the Saṃgha's communal food; third, constant begging for food. The first two kinds of food give rise to conditions for the defilements (āsrava). Why is this? As for those who receive invited food, if they receive an invitation they say, 'I am a virtuous and good person'; if they are not invited, they resent the donors or disparage themselves. These dharmas of greed and sorrow can obstruct the path. As for the Saṃgha's food, one must follow the communal rules in deciding affairs, expelling people, and attending to monastic matters; one's mind then becomes scattered and distracted, hindering and abandoning the practice of the path. Since there are such disturbing conditions, one should observe the practice of begging for food." The Ratnamegha Sūtra says: "In general, when begging for food, divide it into four portions: one portion is offered to one's fellow celibate practitioners; one is given to the poor and beggars; one is given to ghosts and spirits; and one portion is eaten by oneself." The Ratnamegha Sūtra says: "Fulfilling ten dharmas is called begging for food: first, to gather in sentient beings; second, to proceed in regular order; third, not to grow weary; fourth, to know contentment; fifth, to distribute it; sixth, not to indulge in sensory cravings; seventh, to know moderation; eighth, to make wholesome qualities manifest; ninth, to bring wholesome roots to completion; tenth, to abandon self-grasping." Master [Seng]zhao says: "Begging for food has roughly four meanings: first, to bring blessing and benefit to all living beings; second, to subdue arrogance; third, to know that the body is subject to suffering; fourth, to remove clinging and attachment."