金光明懺法補助儀 1.13

1.13

問曰：「觀上所說，恐不全爾。何者？人情自隔，天理本通。菩薩慈稱無緣，大士施元博濟。賊稱佛號，尚獲金頭；僧奉天靈，寧慳玉帛？」答：「汝此問，深不達也。譬如國之法，臣非法虞罪，去官奪祿，而反責君曰：『天子仁慈，不應偏黨。尚恩覃草木，惠及孤貧，何故於臣而慳爵祿？』觀此所責，是智臣乎？經稱能持一句及以首題，以財以護者，此攝俗子及顯持功。工商仕農，求財是分，王臣長者，濟國盈家，尚令必聽是經，要求同行。〈地神品〉云：『好行惠施，心常堅固，深信三寶。』積而能散，素聞廉士之風；知足節量，夙仰道人之範。未見迹參穢俗，志混凡夫，而人歸天護者也。」

Question: "Looking at what was explained above, I fear it may not be entirely so. Why? Human feelings have their own separations, but the heavenly principle fundamentally penetrates all. A bodhisattva's compassion is called unconditional, and a Mahāsattva's generosity originally brings universal salvation. Even when a thief recited the Buddha's name, he still obtained a golden head; when monks revere a heavenly spirit, would she really begrudge jade and silk?"

Answer: "In this question of yours, you deeply fail to understand. For example, according to the laws of a state, when a minister commits an illegal act, anticipates punishment, is stripped of his office, and is deprived of his stipend, he turns around and blames his lord, saying: 'The Son of Heaven is benevolent and compassionate; he should not be partial. His favor even extends to plants and trees, and his kindness reaches orphans and the poor; why does he begrudge rank and stipend to me?' Looking at this rebuke, is this a wise minister? When the sūtra states that one who is able to uphold a single verse or even the title will be protected with wealth, this gathers worldly people and displays the merit of upholding [the sūtra]. For artisans, merchants, officials, and farmers, seeking wealth is their lot; kings, ministers, and elders sustain the state and enrich the household, yet they are still made to listen to this sūtra and are required to practice together. The 'Chapter on the Earth God' says: 'Delighting in practicing generous giving, their minds are always firm, having deep faith in the Three Jewels.' To accumulate and yet be able to disburse has long been heard of as the style of the incorruptible scholar; to know contentment and exercise restraint has from of old been revered as the model of the man of the Way. One has never seen someone whose conduct is entangled with defiled worldliness and whose resolve is mingled with ordinary fools, yet who has people turn to them and devas protect them."