Aṇguttara-Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
IV. Sumanā Vagga
Sutta 34
Sīha Sutta
To General Sīha (On Generosity)
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.
[34][pts][olds][bodh] I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Vesālī, in the Great Forest, at the Gabled Pavilion.
Then General Sīha went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.
As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One:
"Is it possible, lord, to point out a fruit of giving visible in the here and now?"
"It is possible, Sīha.
One who is generous, a master of giving, is dear and charming to people at large.
And the fact that who is generous, a master of giving, is dear and charming to people at large: this is a fruit of giving visible in the here and now.
"And further, good people, people of integrity, admire one who is generous, a master of giving.
And the fact that good people, people of integrity, admire one who is generous, a master of giving: this, too, is a fruit of giving visible in the here and now.
"And further, the fine reputation of one who is generous, a master of giving, is spread far and wide.
And the fact that the fine reputation of one who is generous, a master of giving, is spread far and wide: this, too, is a fruit of giving visible in the here and now.
"And further, when one who is generous, a master of giving, approaches any assembly of people — noble warriors, brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — he/she does so confidently and without embarrassment.
And the fact that when one who is generous, a master of giving, approaches any assembly of people — noble warriors, brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — he/she does so confidently and without embarrassment: this, too, is a fruit of giving visible in the here and now.
"And further, at the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world.
And the fact that at the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world: this is a fruit of giving in the next life."
When this was said, General Sīha said to the Blessed One:
"As for the four fruits of generosity visible in the here and now that have been pointed out by the Blessed One, it's not the case that I go by conviction in the Blessed One with regard to them.
I know them, too.
I am one who is generous, a master of giving, dear and charming to people at large.
I am one who is generous, a master of giving; good people, people of integrity, admire me.
I am one who is generous, a master of giving, and my fine reputation is spread far and wide:
'Sīha is generous, a doer, a supporter of the Saṇgha.'
I am one who is generous, a master of giving, and when I approach any assembly of people — noble warriors, brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — I do so confidently and without embarrassment.
"But when the Blessed One says to me, 'At the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world,' that I do not know.
That is where I go by conviction in the Blessed One."
"So it is, Sīha.
So it is.
At the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world."
One who gives is dear.
People at large admire him.
He gains honor. His status grows.
He enters an assembly unembarrassed.
He is confident — the unmiserly man.
Therefore the wise give gifts.
Seeking bliss, they would subdue the stain of miserliness.
Established in the three-fold heavenly world,
they enjoy themselves long
in fellowship with the devas.
Having made the opportunity for themselves,
having done what is skillful,
then when they fall from here
they fare on, self-radiant, in Nandana [the garden of the devas].
There they delight, enjoy, are joyful,
replete with the five sensuality strands.
Having followed the words of the sage who is Such,
they enjoy themselves in heaven —
disciples of the One Well-gone.
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