Aṇguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
IV. Dāna Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Eights
IV: On Giving

Sutta 37

Sappurisa-Dāna Suttaṃ

The Worthy Man^[1] (a)

Translated from the Pali by E.M. Hare.

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[243] [166]

[1][bodh] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are eight gifts of a good man.

What eight?

Monks, he gives clean (things),
what is choice,
proper,
at fitting times,
and with care;^[2]
he gives repeatedly;
and giving calms his mind;
after giving he is glad.

Monks, these are the eight gifts of a good man.

 

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Clean, choice and timely, proper drink and food
He gives in charity repeatedly
To them that live the life - fair field of merit -
Nor feels remorse at lavishing his gifts Of things
material. Gifts given thus
The seers^[3] extol. And sacrificing thus -
Wise man, believer, with his heart set free -
I' the calm and happy world that sage is born.'

 

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^[1] Cf. A. iii, 172; below, p. 262.

^[2] Cf. K.S. i, 30, n. 6; J, iv, 361 (viceyya).

^[3] Vipassino.