法苑珠林 51.62

51.62

又智度論云何布施生尸波羅蜜。菩薩思惟。眾生不知布施後世貧窮。以貧窮故劫盜心生。以劫盜故而有殺害。以貧窮故不足於色。色不足故而行邪行。以貧窮故為人下賤。下賤畏他而生妄語。如是等貧行十不善道。若行布施。生有財物不為非法。何以故。五欲充足無所乏短故。如提婆達多。本生曾為一蛇。與一蝦蟇一龜。在一池中。共結親友。其後池水竭盡飢窮困乏。無所控告。時蛇遣龜以呼蝦蟇。蝦蟇說偈以遣龜言。

Furthermore, the *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra* asks: How does dāna give rise to śīlapāramitā? A bodhisattva contemplates: If sentient beings do not understand dāna, they will be poor in future lifetimes. Because of poverty, the mind of robbery arises. Because of robbery, killing occurs. Because of poverty, one lacks sensual pleasure; lacking sensual pleasure, one engages in sexual misconduct. Because of poverty, one becomes base and despised; being base and fearing others, false speech arises. In such ways, due to poverty, they practice the ten unwholesome courses of action. If one practices dāna, one is born with wealth and possessions and does not commit unlawful deeds. Why? Because the five desires are fulfilled and there is no deficiency. For instance, in a past life Devadatta was once a snake, who formed a close friendship with a frog and a tortoise in a pond. Later, the pond water dried up, and they were starving, impoverished, and destitute, with nowhere to appeal. At that time, the snake sent the tortoise to call the frog. The frog spoke a verse to send the tortoise away, saying: