佛說食施獲五福報經

Thus have I heard: at one time the Buddha (Śākyamuni) was dwelling in the country of Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika.

The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, saying that they should know: one who eats with moderation will be without illness. The Buddha expounded:

One who gives the gift of food obtains five kinds of merit and blessing, and causes that person to attain the Way.

The wise person thereupon gives rise to a heart that wishes to spread this teaching widely, and so obtains five kinds of merit. What are the five? The first is the giving of life. The second is the giving of complexion (radiant joy). The third is the giving of strength. The fourth is the giving of peace. The fifth is the giving of eloquent speech.

1. What is the giving of life? When a person is famished, their face is utterly haggard and worn, unable to be joyful. A person who is starving will, within no more than seven days, die; therefore the wise one straightaway gives the gift of food. In truth, here the giving of food is precisely the giving of life. One who gives the gift of life will, life after life, live long, whether born in the human realm or in the heavenly realm. Not only will they obtain long life, but they will also be free from calamity and suffering; and naturally they will have merit and blessings and countless wealth. This is what is meant by the giving of life.

2. What is the giving of radiant joy (complexion)? When a person is famished, their countenance is full of sorrow and suffering, unable to be joyful. Therefore the wise one straightaway gives the gift of food. In truth, here the giving of food is precisely the giving of radiant joy. One who gives the gift of radiant joy will, life after life, possess fine and excellent bodily features, whether born in the heavenly realm or in the human realm.

3. What is the giving of strength? When a person is famished, their body is gaunt and frail, their thoughts are hazy, and they are unable to accomplish anything. Therefore the wise one straightaway gives the gift of food; here the giving of food is precisely the giving of strength. One who gives the gift of strength will, life after life, possess strength surpassing others, whether born in the heavenly realm or in the human realm, having strength to which no one can compare. Whether ascending or descending, advancing or withdrawing, their strength will never diminish. This is what is meant by the giving of strength.

4. What is the giving of peace? When a person is famished, their heart is sorrowful and suffering, their body is decaying, they can neither sit nor stand at ease, and are unable to be at peace. Therefore the wise one straightaway gives the gift of food; in truth, here the giving of food is precisely the giving of peace of body and mind. One who gives the gift of peace will, life after life, always be at peace, whether born in the heavenly realm or in the human realm, never encountering calamity; wherever they go they meet good and virtuous people, their wealth is beyond reckoning, and they never encounter calamity or suffering. This is what is meant by the giving of peace of body and mind.

5. What is the giving of eloquent speech? When a person is famished, their body is gaunt and frail, their thoughts are feeble, and their mouth cannot speak in complete sentences. Therefore the wise one straightaway gives the gift of food; in truth, here the giving of food is precisely the giving of eloquent speech. Life after life they will be intelligent, their speech flowing without any obstruction; their capacity for debate will reach very high attainment, whether born in the heavenly realm or in the human realm. Those who hear them will give rise to joy and delight, and will all bow their heads and listen attentively. These are precisely the five kinds of merit and blessing of giving the gift of food.

The Buddha said that if there be any man or woman who gives rise to the aspiration to seek the fruit of the Way, and who gives the gift of all food and clothing, then in the place where that person is born, they will meet a Buddha who bestows upon them the Three Dharmas (the Teaching Dharma, the Practice Dharma, and the Realization Dharma), the Four Intentions (the Four bases of supernatural power, "as one wishes"), the Three Liberating Wisdoms (the Threefold Wisdom), and the Ten Kinds of Power; the Thirty-two Marks of Excellence together with the Eighty Subsidiary Marks of Beauty.

They will go forth to the ten directions like the rising sun; brilliant and resplendent, throughout all the ten directions, transforming and teaching all sentient beings. Even unto the age of the Dharma's decline, this sūtra will still be transmitted; causing those who cultivate it to attain Buddhahood.

When the Buddha had finished speaking this sūtra, the devas, nāgas, ghosts and spirits, together with the common people, the king, the officials, and the Fourfold Assembly—there was none who did not give rise to a heart of joy, pay homage to the Buddha, and withdraw.

The Buddha Speaks the Sūtra on Giving the Gift of Food and Obtaining the Five Kinds of Merit and Blessing