{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an7.52/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an7.52","id":"suttacentral_an7.52","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an7.52/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"At one time the Buddha was staying near Camp\u0101 on the banks of the Gaggar\u0101 Lotus Pond. Then several lay followers of Camp\u0101 went to Venerable S\u0101riputta, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, it\u2019s been a long time since we\u2019ve heard a Dhamma talk from the Buddha. It would be good if we got to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.\u201d \u201cWell then, reverends, come on the next sabbath day. Hopefully you\u2019ll get to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.\u201d \u201cYes, sir\u201d they replied. Then they rose from their seats, bowed to S\u0101riputta, and respectfully circled him before leaving. Then on the next sabbath the lay followers of Camp\u0101 went to Venerable S\u0101riputta, bowed, and stood to one side. Then they went together with S\u0101riputta to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. S\u0101riputta said to the Buddha: \u201cSir, could it be that someone gives a gift and it is not very fruitful or beneficial, while someone else gives exactly the same gift and it is very fruitful and beneficial?\u201d \u201cIndeed it could, S\u0101riputta.\u201d \u201cSir, what is the cause, what is the reason for this?\u201d \u201cS\u0101riputta, take the case of a someone who gives a gift as an investment, their mind tied to it, expecting to keep it, thinking \u2018I\u2019ll enjoy this in my next life.\u2019 They give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. What do you think, S\u0101riputta, don\u2019t some people give gifts in this way?\u201d \u201cYes, sir.\u201d \u201cS\u0101riputta, someone who gives a gift as an investment, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of the four great kings. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this place. Next, take the case of a someone who gives a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, \u2018I\u2019ll enjoy this in my next life.\u2019 But they give a gift thinking, \u2018It\u2019s good to give.\u2019 \u2026 They give a gift thinking, \u2018Giving was practiced by my father and my father\u2019s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family custom.\u2019 \u2026 They give a gift thinking, \u2018I cook, they don\u2019t. It wouldn\u2019t be right for me to not give to them.\u2019 \u2026 They give a gift thinking, \u2018The ancient brahmin seers were A\u1e6d\u1e6dhaka, V\u0101maka, V\u0101madeva, Vess\u0101mitta, Yamadaggi, A\u1e45g\u012brasa, Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja, V\u0101se\u1e6d\u1e6dha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.\u2019 \u2026 They give a gift thinking, \u2018When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.\u2019 \u2026 They don\u2019t give a gift thinking, \u2018When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.\u2019 But they give a gift thinking, \u2018This is an adornment and requisite for the mind.\u2019 They give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. What do you think, S\u0101riputta, don\u2019t some people give gifts in this way?\u201d \u201cYes, sir.\u201d \u201cS\u0101riputta, someone who gives gifts, not for any other reason, but thinking, \u2018This is an adornment and requisite for the mind\u2019, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn among the gods of the Divinity\u2019s host. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they are a non-returner; they do not return to this place. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone gives a gift and it is not very fruitful or beneficial, while someone else gives exactly the same gift and it is very fruitful and beneficial.\u201d","title":"A Very Fruitful Gift","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":619}