法苑珠林 71.13

71.13

If one opens the mind and acts solely for the benefit of others, the merit obtained is great. Furthermore, with regard to the recipient of the gift, there are the poor and the sick, or those who know the Dharma but lack necessities. If one gives so as to benefit them and increase their goodness, then the gift is appropriate and the merit obtained is great. Thus the Xianyu jing says: "The Buddha praised five kinds of giving that obtain immeasurable merit: namely, giving to one who comes from afar, to one who goes far away, to one who is sick and emaciated, giving food and drink in times of hunger and starvation, and giving to one who knows the Dharma. Such five kinds of giving obtain merit in the present life." Such giving is appropriate and immediately obtains abundant merit; it is not like seeking fame, where giving to unnecessary places, no matter how much one renounces, fails to attain pure retribution. Furthermore, as for rejoicing in the giving of others: when viewed against those who commit extremely coarse unwholesome deeds, this subtle fault may also be called wholesome; but when viewed against detachment from desire and acting solely for others, this mixed karma is indeed a fault. Thus the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra says: "Coarse people have coarse faults; refined people have refined faults." Therefore, in this mixed karma, faults and merits proceed together; in view of the mind, it is not pure and is impure karma. The above explains that faults and merits proceed together, concluding the impure mixed karma of the desire realm. As for pure karma, it can be known by reversing the above. Thus the Śata-śāstra says: "As for pure giving: if a person gives with love, respect, and benefit, the merit obtained is also great." Thus a verse from the Yinguo jing says: