法苑珠林 81.27

81.27

Furthermore, the Ekottarāgama states: "At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the bhikṣus: 'Timely giving has five benefits. What are the five? 1. Giving to one who comes from afar; 2. Giving to one who is departing for afar; 3. Giving to the sick; 4. Giving in times of famine; 5. When first obtaining newly harvested fruits, gourds, or grain foods, first offering them to those who uphold the precepts with vigor, and only afterwards eating them oneself. Therefore, if one wishes to practice these five kinds of giving, one should be mindful of giving timely.' If one gives purely at the appropriate time, one in return obtains karmic fruit in a timely manner. That is, giving with a pure mind according to what is appropriate for the time: if it is cold, giving a warm room, felt blankets, firewood, hot food, and so forth; if it is hot, giving a cool room, light clothing, water, fans, cooling items, and so forth; giving drinks when thirsty, providing food when hungry, sending offerings during wind and rain, and inviting the Saṃgha when the weather is mild. In this way, suiting the circumstances and making them glad at all times, in the future one will obtain merit and in turn receive agreeable retribution."