法苑珠林 64.44

64.44

如菩薩布施。諸貧窮者皆來歸向。如曠野樹行人熱時皆往歸趣。菩薩愛樂名勝得解脫。若有人來語菩薩言。有乞者來。菩薩歡喜即以財物而賞使者。菩薩即以餘物而與乞者。歡喜愛敬。求者言乞。作此語時懷憐愍心。若有乞者。不知菩薩體性樂施。菩薩執手歡喜與語。猶如親友。壞彼不知使生知想。傍人見之亦復歡喜。若見乞者。語言汝來欲須何等。隨意而取。安慰之言。善來賢者莫生恐悑。我當為汝作依止處。使彼乞者心得清涼。若如是施名為生人。若不如是名為死人。若不來者自往施之。有來求者尚捨身命。況復財物。若無悲心不名為施。若有悲心施即是解脫。雖復大富名貧窮者。富者雖與無悲愍心。雖名曰與不名施主。悲愍心施。是名施主。若求報施名為施者。商賈之人亦可名施。若求報施果報猶尚無量。況有悲心不求報施。果報何可稱計。若求報施唯可自樂。不能救濟徒自疲勞。悲心施者能有救濟。後得果時能大利益。修施者得富。修定者得解脫。修悲者得無上菩提。果中最勝。

When a bodhisattva practices dāna, all the poor and destitute come to take refuge in him, just as travelers in the great wilderness turn toward a tree when it is hot. A bodhisattva loves and delights in superior reputation and gaining liberation. If someone comes and tells the bodhisattva, “A beggar has arrived,” the bodhisattva rejoices and immediately rewards the messenger with wealth and material goods. The bodhisattva then gives other items to the beggar with joy, love, and respect. When the petitioner says, “I beg of you,” the bodhisattva conceives a mind of pity upon hearing these words. If there is a beggar who does not know that the bodhisattva’s nature delights in giving, the bodhisattva takes him by the hand and speaks with him joyfully, just like a close friend, dismantling his ignorance and causing him to recognize [his goodwill]. Bystanders who see this also rejoice. When seeing a beggar, he says, “Come, what do you need? Take as you wish!” and comforts him, saying, “Welcome, worthy one, do not be afraid; I shall become a refuge for you,” causing that beggar’s heart to find coolness. If one gives in this manner, one is called a living person; if not, one is called a dead person. If beggars do not come, he goes out to give to them of his own accord. When someone comes begging, he would even give up his bodily life, to say nothing of wealth and property! If there is no compassionate heart, it is not called giving; if there is a compassionate heart, giving is itself liberation. Even if one possesses great wealth, [without giving] one is called an impoverished person. Even though a rich person gives, if he lacks a compassionate heart, though it is called giving, he is not called a donor. Giving with a compassionate heart—this is what is called a donor. If giving while seeking recompense is called a giver, then merchants could also be called givers. If giving while seeking recompense still brings immeasurable retribution, how much more so for one who has a compassionate heart and gives without seeking recompense—how could its karmic fruit be calculated? Giving while seeking recompense can only bring self-pleasure; it cannot bring salvation, and is merely useless toil. One who gives with a compassionate heart is able to provide salvation, and when attaining the fruit later on, it brings great benefit. One who cultivates giving attains wealth; one who cultivates dhyāna attains liberation; one who cultivates compassion attains unexcelled bodhi—the most supreme among all fruits.