Buddha's Wisdom: Higher Value of Generosity Lead to Higher Heavens

Buddha's Wisdom: Higher Value of Generosity Lead to Higher Heavens

Numbered Discourse 7.52, Super Benefit of Giving in Buddhism.

At one time in old India, the Buddha was staying near Campa on the banks of the Gaggara Lotus Pond.

Then several lay followers of Campa went to Venerable Sariputta, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, 

“Sir, it’s been a long time since we’ve heard a Dhamma talk from the Buddha. It would be good if we got to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.”

“Well then, friends, come on the next sabbath day. Hopefully you’ll get to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.”

“Yes, sir” they replied. 

Then, they rose from their seats, bowed to Sariputta, and respectfully circled him before leaving.

Then on the next sabbath the lay followers of Campa goes and meet Venerable Sariputta, bowed, and stood to one side. After that, they went together with Sariputta to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. 

Sariputta said to the Buddha:

“Sir, 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 or beneficial?”

Buddha replied:

“Indeed it could, Sariputta.”

Sariputta then asked:

“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason for this?”

Buddha then continued:

“Sariputta, take the case of a someone who gives a gift as an investment, their mind tied to it, expecting to keep it, thinking ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life’. 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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift as an investment, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods of the four great kings, Catumaha Rajika. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm again.

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, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life’. But they give a gift thinking, 

‘It’s good to give.’ 

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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life’. 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘It’s good to give’, 

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods of the thirty three, Tavatimsa. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm.

Next, They give a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life’. 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give’, 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift not as an investment, ... 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods of the Yama. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm again.

Next, They give a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.' 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give’, 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

But, they give a gift thinking, 

‘I cook, the ascetics don’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to not give to them.'

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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift not as an investment, ... 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘I cook, the ascetics don’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to not give to them.'

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods of the Content Delight, Tusita. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm again.

Next, They give a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.' 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give’, 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

Nor, they give a gift thinking, ‘I cook, the ascetics don’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to not give to them.'

They give a gift thinking, 

‘The ancient brahmin seers were Atthaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamadaggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vasettha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.’

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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift not as an investment, ... 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘The ancient brahmin seers were Atthaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamadaggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vasettha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.’

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods who delight in creating, Nimmanarati. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm again.

Next, They give a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.' 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give’, 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

Nor, they give a gift thinking, ‘The ancient brahmin seers were Aṭṭhaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamadaggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vaseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.’

But, They give a gift thinking, 

‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’

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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives a gift not as an investment, ... 

But they give a gift thinking, 

‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the heaven of the gods who wield power over the creations of others, Paranimmita Vasavatti. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this human realm again.

Next, They give a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.' 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give’, 

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ 

Nor, they give a gift thinking, ‘The ancient brahmin seers were Aṭṭhaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamadaggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vaseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.’

Nor they give a gift thinking, ‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’ 

But, they give a gift thinking, 

‘This is an adornment and requisite for the mind.’ 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, Sariputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sariputta, someone who gives gifts, not for ...

They give a gift thinking, ‘This is an adornment and requisite for the mind’, 

when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn among the heaven of the Brahma host gods. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they are a non-returner; they do not return to this human realm again.

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.”