釋氏要覽 1.76

1.76

The Mahāprajñāpāramitā-sūtra states: "Who is called a noble person? The Buddha said: 'If a bodhisattva single-mindedly practices anuttara-bodhi with an undistracted mind, this is called a noble person.'" The Ekottarikāgama states: "If a person dwelling in the world has faults and is able to reform themselves, they are called a noble person." The Daśādhyāya-vinaya states: "There are four kinds of persons: 1. coarse persons; 2. turbid persons; 3. intermediate persons; and 4. noble persons." In the vinaya, King Bimbisāra addresses the disciples of the Buddha as noble persons. Ancient masters said: "Internally possessing wisdom and virtue, and externally possessing superior conduct, standing above other people, one is called a noble person."