法苑珠林 80.33

80.33

又未曾有因緣經云天帝問曰。施食施法有何功德。唯願說之。野干答曰。布施飲食濟一日之命。施珍寶物濟一世之乏。增益繫縛。說法教化名為法施。能令眾生出世間道。

Furthermore, the Adbhutadharmaparyāya-sūtra states: The Lord of Heaven asked: 'What merit is there in giving food versus giving Dharma? We pray you will explain it.' The jackal answered: 'The gift of food and drink saves a life for one day; the gift of precious jewels saves from poverty for a lifetime, yet it increases bondage. Explaining the Dharma to educate and transform is called the gift of Dharma; it is able to make sentient beings depart from the worldly path.'