Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
IV. Dāna Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Eights
IV: On Giving
Sutta 31
Dāna Suttaɱ
On Giving (a)
Translated from the Pali by E.M. Hare.
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[1][olds][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 these eight ways of giving.[1]
What eight?
One gives of one's own accord;[2]
one gives from fear;
one gives thinking:
"He gave to me";
or else when thinking:
"He will give to me or,
"It is good to give" or,
"I[3] prepare food,
they do not;
though I cook,
I am not worthy to stop giving
to those who prepare no food";
or, "From this alms-giving of mine,
a fair report will be spread abroad";
or one gives to enrich and mellow the heart.
Monks, these are the eight ways of giving.'
[1] See Dial iii, 239.
[2] Āsajja, Dial., loc. cit.; Because an object of hospitality has approached; lit. seated, but the word can mean spontaneously, see P.E.D. s.v. The Comy. here patvā ... nisīdāpetvā. But there is possibly a contrast with giving from fear intended.
[3] Cf. above, p. 33 f.
