Раз уж мы говорим о непостоянстве, то пора привести первоисточники. Когда я был в донецком храме Нипподзан Мёходзи, то благодаря любезной помощи жившего там монаха переписал несколько сутт. У меня рука не подымается перевести их кое-как, а на качественный перевод неизвестно когда выпадет время.
Anguttara Nikaya IX.20
Velama sutta
Translated by F.L. Woodward
Once, when the Exalted One was dwelling near Savatthi, at Jeta Grove, in Anatthapindika's Park, the householder Anatthapindika visited him and after saluting sat down at one side.
And the Exalted One addresses Anathapindika thus:
"Is alms given in your family, householder?"
"Yes, lord, ... but it consists of a coarse mess of broken rice grains together with sour gruel."
"Householder, whether one give coarse alms or choice, if one give casually, without thought, not with one's own hand, give but orts (apaviddha.m) and with no view to the future; then, wheresoever that almsgiving bear fruit, his mind will not turn to the enjoyment of excellent food, of fine raiment, of rich carriages, to the enjoyment of the excellencies of the five senses; and one's sons and one's daughters, one's slaves, messengers and workfolk will have no desire to listen to one, nor lend an ear, nor bring understanding to bear (on what one says). And wherefore? Such is the result, householder, of deeds done casually.
But whether one give coarse alms or choice, householder, if one give considerately, after taking thought, with one's own hand, give other than orts and with a view to the future; then, householder, wheresoever that almsgiving bear fruit, his mind will turn to the enjoyment of good food, of fine raiment, of rich carriages, of the excellences of the five senses; and one's sons and one's daughters, one's slaves, messengers and workfolk will desire to listen to one, will lend an ear and bring understanding to bear (on what one says). And wherefore? Such is the result, householder, of deeds done considerately.
Long ago, householder, there lived a brahman called Velama. He gave very rich gifts, such as these: He gave eighty-four thousand golden bowls, filled with silver; he gave eighty four thousand silver bowls, filled with gold; he gave eighty-four thousand copper bowls filled with treasure Hira~n~na (Commentary: gems); he gave eighty-four thousand steeds, with trappings of gold, with banners of gold, covered with nets of gold thread; he gave eighty-four thousand chariots, spread with lion-skins, tiger-skins, leopard-skins, saffron-coloured blankets, with golden trappings, golden banners, covered with nets of gold thread; he gave eighty-four thousand milch kine, with tethers of fine jute, with milk-pails of silver (ka.msuupadhaara.naani); he gave eighty-four thousand maidens adorned with jeweled ear-rings; he gave eighty-four thousand couches, spread with fleecy covers, white blankets, and woolen flower-embroidered coverlets, covered with rugs of antelope skins, with awnings above and crimson cushions at each end; he gave eighty-four thousand lengths (koti) of finest silk, of fines wool, of finest cotton. And who shall tell of the food and the drink that he gave, food both hard and soft, sweet meats and syrups! They flowed, methinks (vissandati), as rivers!
Perhaps, householders, you may think thus: maybe Velama, the brahman, who made that very rich gift, was someone else. But think not so, for it was I, who at that time was Velama, the brahman; it was I who made that very rich gift.
But when that alms was given, householder, there was no one worthy to receive the gift; there was none to sanctify that gift. For, though brahman Velama gave that very rich gift, greater would have been the fruit, had he fed one person of right view (di.t.thi-sampanna.m).
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed a hundred persons of right view, greater would been the fruit thereof, had he fed one Once-returner.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed a hundred Once-returners, greater would been the fruit thereof, had he fed one Non-returner.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed a hundred Non-returners, greater would been the fruit thereof, had he fed one Arahant.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed a hundred Arahants, greater would been the fruit thereof, had he fed one silent Buddha (Paccekabuddha).
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed a hundred silent Buddhas, greater would been the fruit thereof, had he fed one Tathagata, arahant, fully awake.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he fed the Order of monks, with the Buddha at their head, greater would have been the fruit thereof, had he built a monastery for the use of the monks of the Order of the surrounding monastery.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he built a monastery for the use of the monks of the Order of the surrounding monastery, greater would have been the fruit thereof, had he took refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Order.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though with pious heart he took refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Order, greater would have been the fruit thereof, had he with pious heart undertaken to keep the precept: abstention from taking life, from taking what is not given, from carnal lusts, from lying and from intoxicating liquor, the cause of sloth.
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though with pious heart he undertook to keep these precepts, greater would have been the fruit thereof, had he made become a mere passing fragrance (gandhuu hana matta.m) of amity (metta).
Though he gave that very rich gift, or though he made become a mere passing fragrance of amity (metta), greater would have been the fruit thereof, had he made become, just for a finger-snap, the thought of impermanence (anicca-sa~n~naa).