{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an3.57/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an3.57","id":"suttacentral_an3.57","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an3.57/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"Then the wanderer Vacchagotta went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha: \u201cI have heard, worthy Gotama, that the ascetic Gotama says this: \u2018Gifts should only be given to me, not to others. Gifts should only be given to my disciples, not to the disciples of others. Only what is given to me is very fruitful, not what is given to others. Only what is given to my disciples is very fruitful, not what is given to the disciples of others.\u2019 I trust those who say this repeat what the worthy Gotama has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism? For we don\u2019t want to misrepresent the worthy Gotama.\u201d \u201cVaccha, those who say this do not repeat what I have said. They misrepresent me with what is false and untrue. Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for three individuals. What three? The giver is obstructed from making merit. The receiver is obstructed from getting what is offered. And they\u2019ve already broken and damaged themselves. Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for these three individuals. Vaccha, this is what I say: \u2018You even make merit by tipping out dish-washing water in a cesspool or a sump with living creatures in it, thinking, \u201cMay any creatures here be nourished!\u201d\u2019 How much more then for human beings! However, I also say that a gift to an ethical person is more fruitful than one to an unethical person. They\u2019ve given up five factors, and possess five factors. What are the five factors they\u2019ve given up? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are the five factors they\u2019ve given up. What are the five factors they possess? The entire spectrum of an adept\u2019s ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and knowledge and vision of freedom. These are the five factors they possess. I say that a gift to anyone who has given up these five factors and possesses these five factors is very fruitful. Cows may be black or white, red or tawny, mottled or uniform, or pigeon-colored. But when one is born among them, the bull that\u2019s tamed\u2014 a behemoth, powerful, well-paced in pulling forward\u2014 they yoke the load just to him, regardless of his color. So it is for humans, wherever they may be born\u2014 among aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, menials, or corpse-workers and scavengers\u2014 one is born among them, tamed, true to their vows. Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct, truthful, conscientious, they\u2019ve given up birth and death. Complete in the spiritual journey, with burden put down, detached, they\u2019ve completed the task <j>and are free of defilements. Gone beyond all things, they\u2019re quenched by not grasping. In that flawless field, a religious donation is abundant. Fools who don\u2019t understand\u2014 unlearned simpletons\u2014 give their gifts to those outside, and don\u2019t attend the peaceful ones. But those who do attend the peaceful ones\u2014 wise, esteemed as attentive\u2014 and whose faith in the Holy One has roots planted deep, they go to the realm of the gods, or are born here in a good family. Gradually those astute ones reach extinguishment.\u201d","title":"With Vacchagotta","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":562}