釋氏要覽 2.280

2.280

In the Ratnakūṭa-sūtra, the Rishi Vyāsa asked: 'After the Buddha's extinction, how should one plant [merit] to obtain blessed retribution?' The Buddha said: 'All Tathāgatas are the dharmakāya. Whether while I am in the world or after my extinction, whatever offerings are made, the merit is without difference.' He also asked: 'Is merit an accumulation?' The Buddha said: 'For example, before sugar cane is pressed, its juice cannot be seen. If one seeks an accumulation of juice within one or two of its nodes, none is seen at all. Yet that juice is not obtained from outside. The retribution of merit is also like this: it is not in the donor's hands, mind, or body, nor is it separated from them, just as a shadow follows the form.' In the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, the Devaputra Śreṣṭhin asked: 'When the Buddha is in the world, offerings are made, the World-Honoured One is the recipient, and the donor obtains merit. After the World-Honoured One's extinction, when making offerings to images, who is the recipient?' The Buddha said: 'All Buddhas and Tathāgatas are the dharmakāya. Whether while in the world or after extinction, for all offerings made, the merit is without difference.' The Upāsaka-śīla-sūtra states that the Buddha said: 'The Tathāgata is the treasury of all knowledge. Therefore, the wise should diligently cultivate and supply offerings with devoted minds. Having made offerings to the living body, the extinct body, images, and stūpas, one should not generate light thoughts toward one's own body, and one should do likewise toward the Three Jewels. Whether I am present now or after nirvāṇa, it is equal and without difference.' In the Upāsaka-śīla-sūtra, the Buddha said: 'Some say that making offerings and gifts to stūpas and images does not yield longevity, physical strength, peace, or eloquence because there is no recipient. This meaning is incorrect. Because of faithful devotion, the donor gives with a faithful mind; therefore, one obtains these five constant retributions of merit. For example, when a monk cultivates a mind of loving-kindness, there is truly no recipient, yet he still obtains immeasurable fruition.'