Chapter 10 - Comparison of Merits Derived from Giving Alms

At that time, through the Buddha's divine power, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva-Mahasattva rose from his seat, knelt down on one knee with his palms joined, and addressed the Buddha, saying, "World Honored One, I observe that the alms given by sentient beings in the karmic paths generate different amounts of benefits.  Some acts result in blessings for one lifetime to ten lifetimes.  Then, there are acts that generate great blessings for hundreds to thousands of lifetimes.  I wish the World Honored One would explain to me the reason for this difference."

At that time, the Buddha told Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, "Now, at this great gathering in Trayastrimsas Palace, I shall expound the comparable weight of merit generated from alms-giving in Jambudvipa.  Listen attentively to my explanation."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "I will gladly listen to your answers."

The Buddha told Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, "In Jambudvipa, there are [people with the greatest of earthly blessings, such as] kings, high-ranking government officials, honorable elders, Ksatriyas, Brahmans, and others.  They may encounter people [who have the least blessings, such as those] who are the most destitute; or those who are mute, deaf, or blind; or those who have hunchbacks, disabilities, mental retardation, and/or physical deformities.  The kings and other [blessed people] may personally give alms to these [least blessed] people with great compassion and smiles with humility.  They may motivate others to give alms and console these impoverished or disabled people.  For those [aforementioned blessed people] from kings to Brahmans who do so, they shall receive benefits equivalent to that [generated] from giving alms to as many Buddhas as there are sands in hundreds of Ganges Rivers.  Why is this so?  The reason is [because] these kings and other [with great earthly blessings] have great compassion in their hearts [that they humble themselves from their lofty positions] to help those most impoverished or disabled people.  Hence, these kings and other [blessed people] will receive such great blessings in return.  For hundred and thousands of lives, they will have ample [amount of the] seven treasures, not to mention food, clothings and other daily necessities."

"Furthermore, Ksitigarbha, in the future, these [aforementioned blessed people from] kings to Brahmans may come across Buddhist monasteries, stupas, or statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arahats, or Pratyeka-Buddhas.  If they personally and respectfully make offerings and give alms [to these statues, monasteries, etc], then these kings and other [blessed people] shall [attain the karmic fruitions of] becoming Sakra for three kalpas and receive great blessings.  They shall [attain the karmic fruition of] becoming the Great Brahma if they dedicate the merits [from their act of devotion] to the Dharmadhatu (the dharma realm which encompasses everything past, present, and future, including phenomenon undefinable within confines of space and time).

"Additionally, Ksitigarbha, in the future, these [aforementioned blessed people from] kings to Brahmans may encounter old Buddhist monasteries, Buddhist stupas, Buddha statues and sutras that had been severely damaged.  These kings and others may resolve to restore these monasteries, stupas, etc.  They may personally finance and manage the restoration, or persuade others to make charitable donation to finance or participate in the restoration.  [It does not matter] how many people were persuaded to join the effort, be it one or hundreds or thousands who make donations and create karmic affinities.  In the future hundreds and thousands of rebirths, everyone who initiated the restoration, from the kings to the Brahmans, shall become Chakravartins (Universal Kings who spread the Buddha-Dharma).  Those who are persuaded to participate or make donation shall often be reborn as kings of small countries for hundreds of thousands of lives.  If [at the conclusion of repair and restoration,] these kings and other participants of the restoration dedicate these merits to the Dharmadhatu in front of these stupas and monasteries, then these kings and others shall all attain Buddha-hood.  The [rewards from the] fruition of these acts are boundless and immeasurable."

"Moreover, Ksitigarbha, in the future, the [aforementioned blessed people] from kings to Brahmans may encounter [people in need, such as] the old, the sick, or pregnant women.  If their hearts are instantly filled with compassion so they provide medicine, food and other necessities which allow these people in need to find peace, the [resulting] benefits and blessings are quite unimaginable.  For one hundred kalpas, they shall often be the Lord of Pure Abode Heaven.  For two hundred kalpas, they shall be the Lord of the Six Heavens of Desire.  Eventually, they shall become Buddhas and shall never fall into realms of suffering.  For hundreds and thousands of lives, suffering will not even come near their earshot."

"Furthermore, Ksitigarbha, in the future, if the [aforementioned blessed people from] kings to Brahmans give alms as outlined in these aforementioned examples, they shall receive immeasurable blessings.  If they can further dedicate [these virtuous deeds] to the Dharmadhatu, regardless of how much merits were dedicated, then they shall eventually become Buddhas.  There are also the intermediate reward of being Sakra, Great Brahma and Chakravartin.  Hence, Ksitigarbha, sentient beings should be persuaded to follow these examples."

"Moreover, Ksitigarbha, in the future, if virtuous men or women plant some virtuous roots in the Buddha-dharma, be it as light as a hair or dust, the [resulting] benefits will be beyond comparison."

"Additionally, Ksitigarbha, in the future, there may be virtuous men or women who encounter the statues or images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Pratyeka-Buddhas, or Chakravartins.  If they make offerings and give alms to the statues or images, they shall attain immeasurable benefits.  They shall often be born in the human and heavenly realm to enjoy great happiness.  If they dedicate [these virtuous deeds] to the Dharmadhatu, the benefits [attained by them] will be incomparable."

"Moreover, Ksitigarbha, in the future, there may be virtuous men or women who come across Mahayana Sutras, or hear only one stanza or phrase of a Sutra.  If they devotedly praise, show respect to these sutras, make offerings and give alms with these sutras (provide free copies of these sutras to others), then they shall receive great boundless and immeasurable fruition.  If they can dedicate [the resulting merits] to the Dharmadhatu, then the blessings will be incomparable."

"Furthermore, Ksitigarbha, in the future, there may be virtuous men or women who come across Buddhist monasteries and Mahayana Sutras.  If these monasteries and sutras are new, then they make offerings, say praises, and pay respect with their palms joined.  If these monasteries and sutras are old or damaged, then they restore it.  It does not matter if they do these restorations by themselves or persuade others to assist in the effort.  Those who were persuaded to assist shall often be reborn as kings of small nations for thirty lifetimes.  Those people who persuade others to repair the damaged [monasteries and sutras] shall be reborn as Chakravartins.  In the future, these Chakravartins will instruct these kings of small countries and transform them through the Buddha-dharma."

"Additionally, Ksitigarbha, in the future, there may be virtuous men or women who plant some virtuous roots in the Buddha-dharma.  It may be giving alms, making offerings, or restoring damaged sutras, stupas or monasteries.  [These deeds] may even be as small as a strand of hair, speck of dust, grain of sand, or droplet of water.  If [they can] dedicate these virtuous deeds to the Dharmadhatu, these people shall gain great merits and receive great happiness in the future hundred of thousands of lifetimes.  If they dedicate the virtuous deeds to their relatives or for their own benefits, then they shall only receive happiness for three lifetimes from the fruition of their virtuous deeds.  [All these are examples of] giving up one blessing and receiving tens of thousands blessings in return.  Hence, Ksitigarbha, these are the causes and effects of giving alms."