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Aṅguttara Nikāya - The Numerical Discourses

8: The Book of the Eights

37. The Good Person's Gifts

1"Bhikkhus, there are these eight gifts of a good person.[n.1706] See AN5.148. The only common factor between the five qualities mentioned there and those listed here is giving at the proper time. What eight? (1) He gives what is pure; (2) he gives what is excellent; (3) he gives a timely gift; (4) he gives what is allowable; (5) he gives after investigation; (6) he gives often; (7) while giving he settles his mind in confidence; and (8) having given, he is elated. These are the eight gifts of a good person."

1"Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, sappurisadānāni. Katamāni aṭṭha? Suciṁ deti, paṇītaṁ deti, kālena deti, kappiyaṁ deti, viceyya deti, abhiṇhaṁ deti, dadaṁ cittaṁ pasādeti, datvā attamano hoti. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha sappurisadānānīti.

2He gives what is pure and excellent,
allowable drinks and food at the proper time;
he gives gifts often to fertile fields of merit,
to those who lead the spiritual life.

2Suciṁ paṇītaṁ kālena,
kappiyaṁ pānabhojanaṁ;
Abhiṇhaṁ dadāti dānaṁ,
sukhettesu brahmacārisu.

3He does not feel regret,
having given away many material things.
Those with deep insight praise
the gifts given in this way.

3Neva vippaṭisārissa,
cajitvā āmisaṁ bahuṁ;
Evaṁ dinnāni dānāni,
vaṇṇayanti vipassino.

4Having thus practiced charity
with a mind freely generous,
one intelligent and wise, rich in faith,
is reborn in a pleasant, unafflicted world.

4Evaṁ yajitvā medhāvī,
saddho muttena cetasā;
Abyābajjhaṁ sukhaṁ lokaṁ,
paṇḍito upapajjatī"ti.

Sattamaṁ.