諸經要集 10.41

10.41

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.'