大般涅槃經義記 5.341

5.341

初中四偈：其第一偈對一眾生明其劣慈；其第二偈對一切生以顯勝悲，先舉悲心，「是名」已下嘆以顯勝；後之兩偈舉他廣施，對上劣慈比校不及，顯前勝悲果實無窮。「設使五通」明福田淨，五通行淨故偏舉之。「悉滿大地」彰福田多。「有自在主奉施所安，象馬種種」明施物廣，其自在主能為廣施，故偏舉之。此施得果雖復無量，欲比向前一眾生中所修一慈，十六分中不及其一，況能令加？十六亦是一數之門，如一斤物十六兩等，於彼劣慈尚不相比，何況勝悲？

In the first part, there are four verses: the first verse clarifies inferior benevolence toward a single sentient being; the second verse reveals superior compassion toward all sentient beings—first stating the mind of compassion, and from "this is called" onward praising it to reveal its superiority; the latter two verses bring up the broad giving of others and, comparing it to the inferior benevolence above, show it does not match it, thereby revealing that the fruit of the former superior compassion is truly boundless. "Even if with the five superknowledges" explains the purity of the field of merit; because the conduct of those with the five superknowledges is pure, they are specifically brought up. "Completely filling the great earth" manifests the abundance of the field of merit. "A sovereign master presents offerings for their comfort: elephants, horses, and various goods" explains the vastness of the gifts; because that sovereign master can practice vast giving, he is specifically brought up. Although this giving yields immeasurable fruit, if compared to the one benevolence cultivated toward a single sentient being as mentioned before, it does not equal one part in sixteen, let alone surpass it. "Sixteen" is also an entry-way of numbering, like one catty of things having sixteen ounces and the like; it does not even compare to that inferior benevolence, how much less to superior compassion?