諸經要集 5.68

5.68

Furthermore, the Shishi huo wufu bao jing says: The Buddha told the monks, 'You should know that eating with moderation is received without harm.' The Buddha said: 'When a person takes food and gives it to others, there are five merits that cause people to attain the Way. If the wise examine this, their mental capacity being broad and expansive, they will obtain five blessings. What are the five? First, giving life; second, giving complexion; third, giving strength; fourth, giving ease; fifth, giving eloquence. What is meant by giving life? When a person does not obtain food, their complexion becomes emaciated and unsightly; within no more than seven days they suddenly perish. Therefore, the wise give food. Those who give food, give life. Those who give life, generation after generation, enjoy long life, are born in the heavens or the human realm, their lifespans are prolonged without premature death or injury, and naturally their meritorious retribution and wealth are boundless. This is giving life. What is meant by giving complexion? When a person does not obtain food, their complexion becomes emaciated and unsightly. Therefore, the wise give food. Those who give food, give complexion. Those who give complexion, generation after generation, are handsome and upright, born in the heavens or the human realm, their complexion radiant so that people are delighted to see them and bow down in reverence. This is giving complexion. What is meant by giving strength? When a person does not obtain food, their body is emaciated and their will is weak, unable to do what they undertake. Therefore, the wise give food. Those who give food, give strength. Those who give strength, generation after generation, have great strength, born in the heavens or among humans with strength unequaled, and when going out, entering, advancing, or halting, their strength does not diminish. This is giving strength. What is meant by giving ease? When a person does not obtain food, their mind is sorrowful and their body is in danger; sitting and rising are unstable, and they cannot be at ease. Therefore, the wise give food. Those who give food, give ease. Those who give ease, generation after generation, enjoy peace and ease, born in the heavens or among humans without encountering multiple calamities; wherever they go, they always meet the worthy and good, their wealth is boundless, and they do not die prematurely or suffer harm. This is giving ease. What is meant by giving eloquence? When a person does not obtain food, their body is emaciated, their will is weak, and their mouth cannot speak. Therefore, the wise give food. Those who give food, give eloquence. Their speech is fluent without impediment, and their wise eloquence is penetrating. Born in the heavens or the human realm, those who hear them are delighted, and there is none who does not bow down to listen to and receive their Dharma words. This is the retribution of the five blessings of food.'