In the temple lived two brothers in faith, Liaofan and Liaochen. At the break of dawn, they would go out to beg for alms, returning only when the stars filled the sky. Later, only Liaofan continued to go out daily, while Liaochen bought large quantities of rice and flour to store, then slept in.

Seeing his junior brother grow increasingly lazy, Liaofan tried to advise him. But Liaochen refused to listen, arguing instead, “Aren’t we monks supposed to abstain from greed? As long as we have enough food, why bother running around?”

Liaofan sighed and said, “You still haven’t grasped the true purpose of begging for alms.” Liaochen retorted, “You leave at sunrise and return at sunset, yet you come back empty-handed. Where are the alms you’ve collected?” Liaofan smiled and replied, “They are in my heart. Alms come from the heart and return to the heart.”

Gradually, Liaochen’s stored food dwindled, and he grew anxious. Observing that Liaofan remained unchanged yet wore a smile every day, he decided to see for himself.

The next day, Liaochen followed Liaofan to beg for alms. Wherever they went, before they could even speak, people eagerly handed things to Liaofan, expressing endless gratitude. As they walked further, the alms they received grew, and Liaochen secretly rejoiced.

Suddenly, a farmer approached, carrying a child in his arms and weeping as he walked. Upon asking, they learned the farmer’s child was ill but had no money for treatment. Liaofan immediately gave all the alms they had collected to the farmer. They continued on their way, collecting and giving, giving and collecting.

Perplexed, Liaochen asked why. Liaofan explained, “Only by giving can we receive. We beg for alms to sustain ourselves. When others give to us, we receive. But there are still those in need, so we give what we have left to them. This way, everyone can have food to eat, clothes to wear, and money for medicine. Wouldn’t the world then become warmer, kinder, and happier?”

Hearing this, Liaochen bowed his head in shame.