Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön | 2001 | 941,039 words
This page describes “punyakriyavastu consisting of encouragement” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century. This book, written in five volumes, represents an encyclopedia on Buddhism as well as a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita.
IV. Puṇyakriyāvastu consisting of encouragement
When the bhikṣus can neither meditate nor recite the sūtras, to advise them and encourage them is to gain merit. When bhikṣus who are meditating and reciting the sūtras are lacking robes and food, giving these to them is also to encourage them. Moreover, out of pity (anukampā) for beings, the bodhisattva encourages them by his merits. If a monk were to look himself for material goods, he would be transgressing his discipline (śīla); that is why there is a reason to encourage him.