27.3 （三）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the elder Anāthapiṇḍada went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and sat to one side. At that time, the World-Honored One asked the elder, "How is it, elder! Do you always give alms in your home?"

The elder said to the Buddha, "My poor family always practices giving, and the food and drink is coarse and inferior, not the same as usual."

The World-Honored One said, "When giving alms, whether good or bad, much or little, if one does not use the mind, make vows, or have faith, one will not obtain good food in the place where one is reborn. The mind will not be greedy or attached to good clothing, nor will it be attached to good fields and occupations. The mind will not be attached to the five desires. Even if one has servants and slaves, one will not accept their instructions. The reason is that one does not use the mind in the middle. Therefore, one receives this retribution. If an elder gives alms, whether good or bad, much or little, one should use the mind sincerely without increasing or decreasing, abandoning the bridge for future lives. If one is reborn in a place where food and drink are natural, with the seven treasures complete, the mind will always enjoy the five desires. Even if one has servants and slaves, one will always accept their instructions. The reason is that one gives rise to a joyful mind in the middle.

Elder, you should know that in the distant past there was a brahman named Vimalamitra, who was wealthy and had many treasures, such as pearls, tiger-eye gems, agate, coral, crystal, and lapis lazuli. He liked to give alms. At that time, when giving alms, he used 84,000 silver bowls filled with gold dust, and also 84,000 golden bowls filled with silver dust, giving like this. He also gave 84,000 golden and silver washbasins. He also gave 84,000 cows, all with golden and silver-covered horns, giving like this. He also gave 84,000 jade maidens, with clothing covering themselves. He also gave 84,000 bedding, all with woolen brocade and woolen blankets covering themselves. He also gave 84,000 garments. He also gave 84,000 dragon elephants, all decorated with gold and silver. He also gave 84,000 horses, all with golden and silver saddles and bridles. He also gave 84,000 chariots, giving such great alms. He also gave 84,000 houses, giving at the four city gates. Those who needed food were given food, those who needed clothing were given clothing, clothing, food, bedding, and medicine for the sick were all given.

Elder, you should know that although Vimalamitra made these alms, it is not as good as building a house and giving it to the Sangha of the four directions. This merit is immeasurable. Even if he made such alms and built houses to give to the Sangha of the four directions, it is not as good as accepting the three self-refuges in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This merit is immeasurable. Even if that person made such alms, built houses, and accepted the three self-refuges, although there is this merit, it is still not as good as upholding the five precepts. Even if that person made such alms, built houses, accepted the three self-refuges, and upheld the five precepts, although there is this merit, it is still not as good as a moment of compassion for sentient beings. This merit and virtue is immeasurable.

Even if that person made such alms, built houses for the Sangha, accepted the three self-refuges, upheld the five precepts, and had compassion for sentient beings for a moment, although there is this merit, it is still not as good as a moment of contemplating the impermanence of the world. This merit and virtue is immeasurable. However, I fully certify the merit that person made. I also know the merit of building houses for the Sangha, accepting the three self-refuges, upholding the five precepts, having compassion for sentient beings for a moment, and contemplating the impermanence of the world for a moment.

"At that time, the one who made such great offerings, was he not someone else? Do not view it like that. Because the one who made the offerings then is none other than myself. Elder, you should know that the merit made in the distant past was not cut off by faith, and did not give rise to attachment. Therefore, elder, when you wish to make offerings, whether many or few, good or bad, give joyfully without giving rise to attachment. Give with your own hands, do not let others do it. Make vows seeking recompense, and later seek to receive blessings. The elder will obtain inexhaustible blessings. Thus, elder, you should train like this."

At that time, the elder, having heard the Buddha's teaching, joyfully accepted and practiced it.