釋氏要覽 1.465

1.465

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.