維摩經略疏 6.83

6.83

Question: In the assembly of the Dharma gift, does preaching the Dharma constitute the giving assembly? Or does material wealth fully possess all dharmas, so that when giving material wealth it is itself the assembly of the Dharma gift? Answer: It contains both meanings. Sūtras and treatises mostly explain giving wealth as material giving, and preaching the Dharma as the Dharma gift; this is the common view of the two types of giving in the four teachings. Now, according to the inconceivable and perfectly penetrating path, it is not merely preaching the Dharma that is considered the Dharma gift; material wealth fully possesses all buddha-dharmas, and bestowing it upon living beings—at the time of this material giving, it is itself the Dharma gift. Just as Akṣayamati unclasped the jeweled necklace from his neck and gave it to Avalokiteśvara, saying, "Please accept this Dharma gift, this necklace of precious gems"; merely giving a necklace is called a Dharma gift because buddha-dharmas are fully present within the necklace, and at the time of giving the necklace, it is itself the Dharma gift. Now Vimalakīrti says: "Making offerings to all living beings simultaneously, without before or after, is called the assembly of the Dharma gift." This is like the rebuke of Kāśyapa above: "Giving all with a single portion of food, making offerings to all buddhas and assemblies of worthies and saints." Now he receives the necklace and divides it into two portions: one is offered to the Tathāgata Duṣprasaha, and one is given to the lowliest beggar. And he says: "If a donor, with an equal mind, gives to a single lowliest beggar just like the appearance of the field of merit of the Tathāgata, without discrimination, equal to great compassion and seeking no retribution, this also constitutes the complete Dharma gift." Demonstrating it in this way, what does it have to do with preaching the Dharma? The present text is directly based on material giving fully possessing the Buddha Dharma being itself the assembly of the Dharma gift. Why? Material wealth is simply the five sense objects. The Dàpǐn says: "All dharmas tend toward form, and even tend toward non-tending; sound and the rest are also like this." If one can thoroughly penetrate the Dharma gift within material wealth, then this is the compassionate vow, the cultivation of merit and wisdom. Using this material gift according to what was previously attained is like putting poison into milk, or hearing the sound of a poisoned drum: near and far, all die. In such giving, it is not merely that those who receive it for seven days obtain benefit; all partake in it equally. Śāntamati did not comprehend this, so he was rebuked: "You should hold an assembly of the Dharma gift; what use is this assembly of material giving?"