諸經要集 10.63

10.63

又大丈夫論云。若慳心多者。雖復泥土重於金玉。若悲心多者。雖施金玉輕於草木。若慳心多者。喪失財寶心大憂惱。若行施者令受者喜悅。自亦喜悅。設有美食。若不施與而食噉者。不以為美。設有惡食。得行布施然後食者。心中歡悅以為極美。若行施竟。有餘自食。善丈夫者。心生喜樂如得涅槃。無信心者誰信是語。設有麁食。有飢者在前。尚不能施與。況餘勝物而能與人。若人於大水邊。尚不能以少水施與眾生。況餘好財。是人於世間糞土。易得於水。慳貪之人。聞乞糞土猶懷悋惜。況復財物。

Furthermore, the *Mahāpuruṣa-śāstra* says: If the mind of stinginess is strong, even dirt and mud are valued more than gold and jade. If the mind of compassion is strong, even giving gold and jade is treated lighter than grass and wood. If the mind of stinginess is strong, losing wealth and treasures brings great sorrow and vexation. If one practices giving, one causes the recipient to rejoice and rejoices oneself. Suppose there is fine food: if one eats it without giving it away, one does not find it delicious. Suppose there is bad food: if one is able to practice giving and only then eat, one's heart rejoices and finds it supremely delicious. If after completing the giving there are leftovers for oneself to eat, a good person gives rise to joy as though attaining nirvāṇa. Who among those without faith would believe these words? Suppose there is coarse food: if a hungry person stands before him, he still cannot give it, how much less could he give other superior goods to others? If a person beside a great body of water still cannot give even a little water to sentient beings, how much less any other fine wealth? For such a person in this world, dung and dirt are easier to come by than water; yet when a stingy person hears someone begging for dung and dirt, he still cherishes and begrudges it—how much more so with wealth and goods!