法苑珠林 80.39

80.39

Furthermore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra states: "The first five pāramitās are comparable to blind persons, while the sixth, prajñā, is comparable to one with eyes. If one does not obtain prajñā to guide the first five, one will fall into the evil destinies and fail to transcend the world." If, hearing that the gift of Dharma surpasses the relinquishing of wealth, foolish persons fail to understand and therefore hoard their wealth, taking pleasure only in reading the sūtras and practicing in this manner, it is not as good as someone who, with an understanding mind, gives a single coin—which surpasses reading hundreds of thousands of myriad fascicles of sūtras with a deluded mind. Therefore, in setting forth the teachings, the Tathāgata intended both understanding and practice. If there is only understanding without practice, understanding is merely empty; if there is only practice without understanding, practice is merely solitary. One must possess both understanding and practice to reach the other shore. Furthermore, the Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra states: "You should know that bodhisattva-mahāsattvas are endowed with these four methods of gathering. Through these dharmas, bodhisattva-mahāsattvas constantly dwell throughout the long night gathering sentient beings. What are the four? They are dāna, affectionate speech, beneficial conduct, and shared activity. These are called the four methods of gathering. What is called giving has two types: the first is the giving of wealth, and the second is the giving of Dharma. This is dāna. What is called affectionate speech means that toward all those who come seeking alms, or who delight in hearing the Dharma, the bodhisattva is able to comfort and instruct them with affectionate speech. What is called beneficial conduct means being able to satisfy the inclinations and wishes of both oneself and others. What is called shared activity means explaining to others according to one's own wisdom and merit, gathering and establishing all sentient beings so that they abide stably in either wisdom or the Dharma. What is called the giving of Dharma means extensively expounding to others the Dharma as one has heard it. What is called affectionate speech means distinguishing and revealing it with an unstained mind. What is called beneficial conduct means instructing and chanting the scriptures for others, even preaching the Dharma without weariness. What is called shared activity means, with a mind that never abandons omniscience, establishing sentient beings in the saddharma. Therefore, bodhisattvas constantly practice the giving of Dharma at all times. If one lacks wealth oneself, one rejoices in the giving of others; if one possesses wealth oneself, one makes offerings to wise persons, and in return obtains the retribution of intelligence."