諸經要集 10.58

10.58

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.