盂蘭盆經讚述 1.30

1.30

經曰佛勅十方眾僧當為施主家呪願者　述曰。自下明受供之儀也。二句先教受食行。後示受食儀。先呪願者。生口業善行。禪定意者生意業善。後受食者生身業善也。夫以願如御者。即有懸標之力。行類牛車。近有滅惡之功。故先遣發願。後行禪也。

[When] the sūtra states, 'The Buddha commanded the saṅgha of monks of the ten directions to make a praṇidhāna blessing for the family of the dānapati': The commentary says: From here on, it explains the ritual of receiving offerings. The two lines first teach the practice of receiving food, and then demonstrate the ritual of receiving food. Performing the praṇidhāna blessing first generates virtuous practice of vocal karma; entering meditative concentration generates the virtue of mental karma; receiving the food afterward generates the virtue of bodily karma. A vow is like a charioteer, having the power to establish an aim; practice is like an ox cart, having the efficacy of eradicating evil close at hand. Therefore, [the Buddha] first has them generate vows, and afterward practice meditation.