佛說處處經 1.22

1.22

佛言：「比丘！我雖度世去，經法當在。復有四因緣，可從得福：一者、畜生無所食，飼之令得命；二者、見人得疾病無瞻視者，當給與供養令得安隱；三者、貧窮孤獨當護視；四者、人獨一身行禪念道，無所衣食當給視之；是為四事。布施持善意與之，其得福與佛等無有異。」爾時身皆痛，便欲度世去。

The Buddha said: "Bhikṣus! Although I transcend the world and depart, the Dharma of the sūtras shall remain. Furthermore, there are four nidānas from which merit can be gained: first, when animals have nothing to eat, feed them so that their lives are preserved; second, seeing someone afflicted with illness without a caregiver, provide for and attend to them so they obtain peace and comfort; third, the impoverished, solitary, and destitute should be protected and looked after; fourth, when a person is solitary and alone, practicing meditation and contemplating the Way, lacking clothing and food, one should provide for and look after them; these are the four things. If you practice giving and provide for them with a benevolent mind, the merit gained is equal to that of [giving to] the Buddha, without any difference." At that time, his body was entirely in pain, and he was about to transcend the world and depart.