法苑珠林 55.22

55.22

"Supposing with a hundred horses / adorned with saddles and bridles of gold and silver,
one gave them in charity to others— / that would not equal a ladle of rice broth.
Even if with carts of the seven jewels / loaded full of every rare treasure,
one gave a ladle of rice broth to the Buddha, / the merit thereof would surpass that.
If one gave a hundred white elephants / adorned with bright pearls and necklaces,
yet made an offering of a ladle of broth to the Buddha, / the merit thereof would far exceed it.
Even if like a wheel-turning sage king's / jade woman and queen, Puxian, / beautiful without peer, / her body adorned with necklaces of the seven jewels—
of such wondrous sorts, / there were a hundred of each,
and all were given to others, / that would not equal a ladle of broth."