Ekottaragama (Sanskrit fragments) 13.6.5

13.6.5

「能說能宣布，渡流成無漏；
以渡生死淵，今問瞿曇義。
我觀此眾生，所作福祐業；
造行若干種，施誰福最尊。
尊今靈鷲山，唯願演此義；
知釋意所趣，亦為施者宣。
四趣造福無，四果具足成；
諸學得跡人，宜信奉其法。
無欲亦無恚，愚盡成無漏；
盡度一切淵，施彼成大果。
諸此眾生類，所作福德業；
造行若干種，施僧獲福多。
此眾度無量，猶海出珍寶；
聖眾亦如是，演慧光明法。
瞿曇彼善處，能施眾僧者；
獲福不可計，最勝之所說。」

“Could you say, could you explain in detail,
How to cross the flood and be uncontaminated,
How to cross the sea of mortality?
I now ask Gautama about this subject.

I’ve observed these sentient beings here
And their performance of blessed deeds.
Of the many kinds of practitioners,
A gift to whom is a blessing most honored?

To the sage who’s here now on Vulture’s Peak:
Please give me a teaching on this subject,
So I’ll know the gist of the Śākyan’s thought
And get an explanation on giving.”

“The four who make merit for cessation,
And the four who’ve fully achieved the fruits.
It’s the trainees and realizers of the path
Who ought to be believed, their Dharma served.

When someone lacks any desire or anger,
Their foolishness and contamination ends.
Those who completely cross the whole ocean,
Giving to them achieves a great reward.

These are the classes of sentient beings
Who do virtuous deeds that make merit.
Of the many kinds of practitioners,
Giving to the Saṅgha obtains much merit.

The assemblies are broad and measureless
Like the treasures that come from the ocean.
The noble assemblies are just the same,
For they explain the wise Dharma of light.”

Kauśika, a good place is
Where one can give to the Saṅgha.
They’ll obtain merits inestimable,
For their teaching is the Supreme Victor’s.”