Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
V: Muṇḍa-Rāja Vagga
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
V. The Book of the Fives
V. Muṇḍa the King
Sutta 44
Manāpadāyī Suttaɱ
The Giver of the Agreeable
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
© 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi
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[1][pts] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood.
Then, in the morning, the Blessed One dressed, took his bowl and robe, and went to the residence of the householder Ugga of Vesālī, where he sat down in the appointed seat.
Then the householder Ugga of Vesālī approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to the Blessed One:
"Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my sal flower porridge is agreeable.
Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.'
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
"Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my pork embellished with jujubes is agreeable.
Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.'
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
"Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my fried vegetable stalks are agreeable.
Let the Blessed One accept them from me, out of compassion.'
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
"Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my boiled hill rice cleared of dark grains, accompanied by various sauces and condiments, is agreeable.
Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.'
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
[50] "Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my Kāsi cloths are agreeable.
Let the Blessed One accept them from me, out of compassion.'
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
"Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this:
'The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.'
Bhante, my couch spread with rugs, blankets, and covers, with an excellent covering of antelope hide, with a canopy above and red bolsters at both ends, is agreeable.
Although I know this is not allowable for the Blessed One, this sandalwood plank of mine is worth over a thousand.
Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion."
The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
Then the Blessed One expressed his appreciation to the householder Ugga of Vesālī thus:
"The giver of the agreeable gains the agreeable,
when he gives willingly to the upright ones
clothing, bedding, food, and drink,
and various kinds of requisites.
"Having known the arahants to be like a field
for what is relinquished and offered, not held back,
the good person gives what is hard to give:
the giver of agreeable things gains what is agreeable."
Then, after expressing his appreciation to the householder Ugga of Vesālī, the Blessed One rose from his seat and left.
Then, some time later, the householder Ugga of Vesālī passed away.
After his death, the householder Ugga of Vesālī was reborn among a certain group of mind-made [deities].
On that occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then, when the night had advanced, the young deva Ugga, of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire [51] Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and stood to one side.
The Blessed One then said to him:
"I hope, Ugga, that it is as you would have wished."
"Surely, bhante, it is as I had wished."
Then the Blessed One addressed the young deva Ugga with verses:
"The giver of the agreeable gains the agreeable;
the giver of the foremost again gains the foremost;
the giver of the excellent gains the excellent;
the giver of the best reaches the best state.
"The person who gives the best,
the giver of the foremost,
the giver of the excellent,
is long-lived and famous
wherever he is reborn."
