諸經要集 10.41

10.41

述曰。謂能施之人。行有智愚。若智人行施。要觀前人。有益便施。無益不施。故優婆塞戒經云。若見貧窮者先語言。汝能歸依三寶受齋戒不。若言能者。先授三歸及齋戒。後則與施物。若言不能。復語言。能隨我語。念一切法無常無我涅槃寂滅不。若言能者。教已便施。如其無財。教餘有財令作是施。若其愚人。貪著財物不知無常。人物屬他戀著慳惜。菩薩見此無益之物。即令急施。廢修道業故。大莊嚴論云。若物能令起惱則不應畜。縱令寶翫要必有離。如蜂作蜜。他得自不得。財寶亦如是。又所施之財有是有非。非法之物。縱將布施得福尠少。如法之財得福弘多。如大寶積經云。所不應施復有五事。一非理求財不以施人。物不淨故。二酒及毒藥不以施人。亂眾生故。三罝羅機網不以施人。惱眾生故。四刀杖弓箭不以施人。害眾生故。五音樂女色不以施人。壞淨心故。

The commentary says: This refers to the giver, whose practice may be wise or foolish. If a wise person practices giving, he must examine the other person: if it is beneficial, he gives; if it is not beneficial, he does not give. Thus the Upāsaka-śīla-sūtra says: 'If one sees an impoverished person, one first speaks to him: "Are you able to take refuge in the Triratna and receive the fasting precepts?" If he says he is able, one first confers the three refuges and the fasting precepts, and afterward gives him the items. If he says he cannot, one further speaks to him: "Are you able to follow my words, and contemplate that all dharmas are impermanent, non-self, and that nirvāṇa is tranquil extinction?" If he says he is able, having instructed him, one then gives. If one has no wealth oneself, one instructs others who have wealth to make this gift. If it is a foolish person who covets wealth, does not know impermanence, and clings stingily to people and things belonging to others, a bodhisattva seeing these useless things will prompt him to give quickly, lest they disrupt the cultivation of his path.' Therefore, the Mahālankāra-śāstra says: 'If an object causes affliction to arise, it should not be kept. Even if it is a treasured trinket, there must inevitably be separation from it. Like bees making honey: others obtain it while they do not obtain it themselves; wealth and treasures are also like this.' Furthermore, the wealth that is given has proper and improper forms. With improper things, even if one offers them in dāna, the merit obtained is very little; with wealth according to the Dharma, the merit obtained is vast and abundant. As the Mahāratnakūṭa-sūtra says: 'There are five matters that should not be given: first, wealth sought improperly should not be given to others, because the item is impure; second, liquor and poisons should not be given to others, because they derange sentient beings; third, nets and traps should not be given to others, because they torment sentient beings; fourth, swords, staves, bows, and arrows should not be given to others, because they harm sentient beings; fifth, music and female charms should not be given to others, because they destroy the pure mind.'