法苑珠林 50.9

50.9

又增一阿含經云。爾時世尊告諸比丘。若有眾生知返復者。此人可敬。小恩尚不忘。何況大恩。設離此間百千由旬。猶近我不異。我常歎譽。若有眾生不知返復者。大恩尚不憶。何況小恩。彼非近我。我不近彼。正使被僧伽梨在吾左右。此人猶遠。是故比丘當念念返復。莫學無返復。

Furthermore, the Ekottarika-āgama says: 'At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the bhikṣus: "If there is a sentient being who shows reciprocity, this person is worthy of respect. He does not forget even a small kindness, how much less a great kindness! Even if he is separated from here by hundreds of thousands of yojanas, he is still as near to me as ever, and I constantly praise him. If there is a sentient being who does not show reciprocity, he does not remember even a great kindness, how much less a small kindness! He is not close to me, and I am not close to him. Even if he wears the saṅghāṭī and is at my side, this person is still far away. Therefore, bhikṣus, you should be mindful of reciprocity in every thought; do not learn ungratefulness."'