52.6 （六）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at the Mahāvana Grove in Vaiśālī, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikṣus.

At that time, the great general Siṃha 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 Tathāgata said to the great general, "There are five merits for a donor. What are the five?

Thus, the donor's fame spreads far and wide. In such-and-such a village, there is this generous person who gives generously to the needy without any stinginess. This is called the first merit attained by the donor.

Furthermore, great general Siṃha, when a donor goes among the kṣatriya assembly, brāhmaṇa assembly, or śramaṇa assembly, they are fearless and have no doubts or difficulties. This is called the second merit.

Furthermore, great general Siṃha, the donor is loved and respected by many people, like a child loves its mother and their hearts are inseparable. The donor is also like this, loved by many.

Furthermore, Siṃha, when the donor gives, they give with a joyful mind. With joy, there is delight, and the mind is firm. At that time, they are aware of pleasure and pain, and also of change and regret. How do they know? They know the truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering.

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:

Giving is the means to all merits, and one attains the ultimate
truth. Those who can remember giving will give rise to a joyful mind.

"Furthermore, Lion Elder! When a donor gives, their body perishes and their life ends, they are reborn in the Heaven of the Thirty-three. There are five things that surpass the other gods. What are the five? First, their appearance is noble and majestic, with majestic light. Second, they have mastery over what they desire, and nothing is not accomplished. Third, if the donor is reborn among humans, they will encounter a wealthy and noble family. Fourth, they will have abundant wealth and many treasures. Fifth, their words are followed and used. These are called, Lion! The five merits of the donor lead to the good path."

At that time, the great general Lion heard what the Buddha said, and was overjoyed, unable to contain himself. He went before the Buddha and said, "I only wish that the World-Honored One and the assembly of monks would accept my invitation."

At that time, the World-Honored One silently accepted the invitation. The great general Lion, seeing that the World-Honored One silently accepted the invitation, immediately rose from his seat, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and then withdrew. Returning to his home, he prepared various foods and laid out fine seats. He then said, "The time has come. Now is the right time. I only wish that the Great Sage would deign to look upon us with compassion."

At that time, when it was time, the World-Honored One put on his robe, took his alms bowl, and surrounded by the assembly of monks, went to the general's house and sat in order. At that time, the great general Lion saw that the Buddha and the assembly of monks had sat in order, and personally served and offered various foods. At that time, when the general was serving the food, the devas in the sky announced, "This is an arhat. This person is heading towards arahantship. Giving to this person brings great merit. Giving to this person brings little merit. This is a non-returner. This person is heading towards the path of non-returner. This person is a once-returner. This person is heading towards the path of once-returner. This person is a stream-enterer. This person is heading towards the path of stream-enterer. This person will be reborn seven times. This person will be reborn once. This person upholds faith. This person upholds the Dharma. This person has sharp faculties. This person has dull faculties. This person is inferior. This person is diligent in upholding the precepts. This person violates the precepts. Giving to this person brings great merit. Giving to this person brings little merit."

At that time, the great general Lion, having heard the words of the devas, was not concerned. Seeing that the Tathāgata had finished eating and removed the bowls and utensils, he took a small seat and sat in front of the Tathāgata. At that time, the great general Lion said to the World-Honored One, "Just now, some devas came to me and said, 'From the arhats to the precept-breakers.' I have fully informed the Tathāgata of this. Although I heard these words, I was not concerned and did not think, 'I should give to this one and not to that one.' Rather, I thought, 'I should give to all sentient beings, to all beings with form who subsist on food. Without food, they will perish.' I personally heard this verse from the Tathāgata and have always kept it in mind without forgetting it. What is the verse called?

The giving should be universally equal, without ever going against it. One
will surely encounter the sages and worthies, and be liberated through this.

"This is what is said in the verse, World-Honored One!" I personally heard it from the Tathāgata and have always remembered and practiced it.

The Buddha told the general, "Excellent! This is called the mind of a bodhisattva, giving equally. When a bodhisattva gives, they do not think, 'I will give this, not that.' They always give equally, and also think, 'All sentient beings live when they eat, and die when they do not.' When a bodhisattva practices giving, they also contemplate this." Then he spoke this verse:

When a person cultivates their practice, whether it is evil
or good, they themselves receive the retribution. The practice does
not diminish. As a person seeks their practice, they immediately
receive its result. Doing good gains its good, doing evil
receives its evil retribution. Doing evil and its good follow
a person's habits. It is like planting the five grains
each obtaining its fruit.

"Great General Siṃha! You should know through this method that good and evil each have their own practice. Because from the initial generation of the mind until the attainment of enlightenment, the mind is without increase or decrease, does not discriminate people, and also does not observe their land. Therefore, Siṃha! When you wish to give, always contemplate equality and do not give rise to the mind of right and wrong. Thus, Siṃha! You should practice in this way."

At that time, the World-Honored One again spoke the dhāraṇī:

Giving brings joy and is loved by people, praised by
the masses. Wherever one goes, there are no difficulties or
jealousy. Therefore, the wise give, removing all evil thoughts. For
a long night, one reaches good places, praised by the gods.

At that time, the World-Honored One, having spoken these words, then rose from his seat and departed.

At that time, the lion heard what the Buddha had said and joyfully accepted it.