諸經要集 10.58

10.58

第四多少相對。如法句喻經云。施有四事。何等為四。一者施多得福少者。如愚癡之人祭祠。飲酒歌舞損費錢寶。無有福慧。是為施多得福少。二施少得福多者。如能以慈心奉道德人。眾僧食已精進學誦。施此雖少其福彌大。是為施少得福多。三施少得福少者。如慳貪惡意施邪見外道兩俱愚癡。是故施少得福亦少。四施多得福亦多者。若有賢者。覺世無常。好心出財。起立塔寺精舍園果。供養三尊。衣被履屣床榻厨饍。斯福如五大河流。入于大海。福流如是世世不斷。是為施多其報亦多。

Fourth, the relative comparison of much and little: As the *Dharmapada-avadāna-sūtra* states, giving has four matters. What are the four? 1. Giving much and obtaining little merit: as when foolish people make sacrificial offerings, drinking wine, singing, and dancing, wasting money and treasures without obtaining merit or wisdom—this is giving much and obtaining little merit. 2. Giving little and obtaining much merit: as when one can with a compassionate mind make offerings to people of virtue and the Path, and the Saṃgha, having eaten, diligently studies and recites; though what is given is little, the merit is vast—this is giving little and obtaining much merit. 3. Giving little and obtaining little merit: as when, out of stinginess and evil intent, one gives to outsiders of wrong views, both being foolish—therefore giving little yields little merit as well. 4. Giving much and obtaining much merit: if there is a worthy person who realizes the impermanence of the world, produces wealth with a benevolent mind, erects stūpas, monasteries, vihāras, and orchards, and makes offerings to the Three Honored Ones of clothing, shoes, beds, couches, food, and kitchen provisions—this merit is like the five great rivers flowing into the great ocean; the flow of merit is like this, unceasing from lifetime to lifetime—this is giving much and its retribution being likewise much.