The Scripture of the Fo...

Dictionary

The Scripture of the Founding Master

Chapter Six: Doubts Clarified

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The Founding Master was listening to a discussion between residents in a meditation hall. One resident said, “There will be more merit in dividing a bowl of rice among ten people than giving it all to just one.” Another resident said, “There will be more merit in satisfying even one person than in not satisfying any of them.” The residents were unable to reach a conclusion, so the Founding Master made this judgment, “In the case of giving a single thing, if it is given to just one person, only he will get to enjoy it and then return the favor. If it is given to one village or one nation, only that village or nation will get to enjoy it and then return the favor. If it is given to an enterprise that serves the whole world without limitations, then the whole world will get to enjoy it and then return the favor. Therefore, even in the case of giving a single thing, if you compare the merit of giving it to a cause that is limited as opposed to a cause that is without limits, the merit will be immeasurably greater when you give without limits.”