The Benefits of Generosity
Chapter 27
Then the Bhagavān said to the youth Candraprabha, “Young man, as it has been said, ‘Be careful,’ you, young man, should consequently train in that way. Why is that? Because, young man, for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who are careful, the highest, complete enlightenment is not difficult to attain, let alone this samādhi.
27.2 “Young man, in what way should bodhisattva mahāsattvas be careful? For that, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas should have perfectly pure conduct. Young man, in what way should bodhisattva mahāsattvas have perfectly pure conduct? For that, young man, bodhisattva mahāsattvas who have perfectly pure conduct, never separating from an all-knowing mind, should practice the six perfections. Listen, for I shall teach you their benefits.
27.3 “Young man, there are ten benefits for bodhisattva mahāsattvas who aspire to generosity. What are the ten benefits? They are: [1] the kleśa of avarice is overcome; [2] their minds are constantly devoted to generosity; [3] from the ordinary wealth of the populace they obtain what is essential; [4] they are reborn into a wealthy family, and as soon as they are born they have a mind that aspires to generosity;886 [5] they are beloved by the fourfold assembly; [6] they enter the assembly without fear or lack of confidence; [7] verses that praise their greatness spread to the cardinal and intermediate directions; [8] they have soft and youthful arms and legs; [9] they stand on feet with level soles;887 and [10] they are never apart from kalyāṇamitras 888 until they are seated at the Bodhimaṇḍa. [F.88.b]
27.4 “Young man, those are the ten benefits for the bodhisattva mahāsattvas who aspire to generosity.”
It was said:
27.5
“Avarice is overcome.
Their generosity increases.
They are those who obtain the essentials
And are reborn into a wealthy family. {1}
27.6
“As soon as they are born
There is generosity in their minds.
They are beloved by beings,
Both the laity and mendicants. {2}
27.7
“They enter the assembly
Fearlessly and confidently.
Their renown spreads
Through the villages and towns. {3}
27.8
“They have soft arms and legs
That they gain without difficulty.
They obtain kalyāṇamitras,
Both buddhas and śrāvakas. {4}
27.9
“They never have an avaricious mind;
Their minds always delight in generosity.
They are beloved by millions of beings.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {5}
27.10
“They are reborn into a family with great wealth.
At birth they have minds that delight in generosity.
They obtain the essentials and choose the time of passing away.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {6}
27.11
“Fearlessly they enter an assembly.
Their renown spreads in all directions.
They always have soft arms and legs.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice. {7}
27.12
“It is not difficult for them to obtain kalyāṇamitras.
They also see buddhas and śrāvakas.
Seeing them, they make offerings to them with faith.
Those are the benefits of being without avarice.” {8}
27.13
Conclusion of the twenty-seventh chapter, “The Benefits of Generosity.”
