施主增長品第六
Chapter 6: The Patron's Growth
悲心起施能與眾生樂聚，如是施主與眾生樂者，勝於解脫名為最勝。施主成他樂，因修悲者於一切眾生得平等心，如是者名為檀越；不能如是施者名為乞者。若行施時使聞者悲泣，是名善施；若不如是不名善施主。若行布施能使受者子孫恣意受用、歡喜讚歎，名健施主。若乞而與不名施主，自往而與名善施主。若捨一切財物，愛心而與不名施主；有悲心雖不與物名大施主。諸來求欲皆使隨意使稱本望，名善施主；不能稱彼本望雖復大富，名貧窮者。富者雖與無悲愍心，名曰與，不名施主；悲愍心施，是名施主。若不食噉無有果報，施雖與不名為施。無悲心施，雖與不名為施；有悲心者雖復不施，名之為施。若求報施者名為施者，商賈之人亦可名施。若求報施，果報猶尚無量，況有悲心不求報施，果報何可稱計？若求報施唯可自樂，不能救濟徒自疲勞；悲心施者能有救濟，後得果時能大利益。貧窮者不如有財者，有財者不如能食者，能食者不如能施者。悲心施者善，一切眾生，富者應施、施者應悲。富者能施富得堅牢，施者能悲施得堅牢。修施者得富，修定者得解脫，修悲心者得無上菩提，果中最勝。
When compassion arises, giving can bring happiness to all beings. A giver who brings joy to others through giving is superior even to those who seek liberation—this is called the highest form of giving. A giver who brings happiness to others, and through cultivating compassion develops an equal mind toward all beings, is truly called a "benefactor." One who cannot give in this way is merely a "beggar."
If, when giving, the act causes those who hear of it to weep with emotion, this is called "good giving." If not, then the giver is not a true benefactor. If the giving allows the recipient's descendants to freely enjoy the gift with joy and praise, this is called "strong giving." Giving only when asked does not make one a true benefactor; voluntarily giving unasked makes one a good benefactor.
If one gives away all possessions but does so without compassion, that is not being a true benefactor. Even if one gives nothing, if one has a compassionate heart, that person is a great benefactor. One who fulfills the wishes of those who come asking, giving them exactly what they hope for, is called a good benefactor. One who cannot satisfy others' hopes, even if wealthy, is called a poor person.
The wealthy who give without compassion only perform an act of "giving," but are not called "benefactors." Giving with a compassionate heart—that is what makes one a true benefactor. If giving does not alleviate suffering, it bears no real fruit; even if something is given, it cannot truly be called giving. Giving without compassion, even if something is given, is not true giving. Giving with compassion, even if nothing material is given, can still be called giving.
Those who give seeking reward are merely "givers"—even merchants can be called givers. Yet even the reward of giving with expectation is immeasurable—how much more so the reward of giving with compassion and without expectation? How could it ever be measured? Giving with expectation only brings personal pleasure; it cannot truly save others and only exhausts oneself. Giving with compassion brings salvation, and when the reward comes later, it brings great benefit.
The poor are not as good as those with wealth; those with wealth are not as good as those who can enjoy what they have; those who can enjoy what they have are not as good as those who can give. Giving with compassion is best. All beings: the wealthy should give, and givers should have compassion. When the wealthy give, their wealth becomes secure; when givers have compassion, their giving becomes secure.
Those who cultivate giving attain wealth; those who cultivate meditation attain liberation; those who cultivate compassion attain the supreme enlightenment, the highest fruit of all.