淨名經集解關中疏 1.643

1.643

"'A gathering for the gift of the Dharma has no before and no after, making offerings to all sentient beings at one time: this is called a gathering for the gift of the Dharma.'" This third is the brief answer. Shi says: "If one raises a mind of compassion once, it conditions all ten directions alike. Among givings, none is more equal than this; hence it is said to have 'no before and no after.'" Zhao says: "Gathering people by spatial location cannot be expected in a single breath; aiding beings with material wealth cannot be provided all at once. For this reason, one whose gathering and penetration have no bounds encompasses all without leaking, and the rain of Dharma moisture, silently covering, without changing time covers everyone equally. Thus one can take the boundless as a single gathering, and the Way enriches all; harboring virtue with an open mind, all things naturally submit. Why cling to the petty favor of moistening with foam and abandon the great benefit of rivers and oceans, putting aside the unitive Dharma offering to set up mundane giving that has before and after?"