With Māgha on Giving · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Atha kho māgho māṇavo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Then the student Māgha approached 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:
“Ahañhi, bho gotama, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; dhammena bhoge pariyesāmi; dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāmi dvinnampi tiṇṇampi catunnampi pañcannampi channampi sattannampi aṭṭhannampi navannampi dasannampi dadāmi, vīsāyapi tiṁsāyapi cattālīsāyapi paññāsāyapi dadāmi, satassapi dadāmi, bhiyyopi dadāmi. Kaccāhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavāmī”ti?
“I’m a giver, worthy Gotama, a donor; I am bountiful and committed to charity. I seek wealth in a principled manner, and with that legitimate wealth I give to one person, to two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred people or even more. Giving and sacrificing like this, worthy Gotama, do I brim with much merit?”
“Taggha tvaṁ, māṇava, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavasi. Yo kho, māṇava, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; dhammena bhoge pariyesati; dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāti …pe… satassapi dadāti, bhiyyopi dadāti, bahuṁ so puññaṁ pasavatī”ti. Atha kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi—
“Indeed you do, student. A giver or donor who is bountiful and committed to charity, who seeks wealth in a principled manner, and with that legitimate wealth gives to one person, or up to a hundred people or even more, brims with much merit.” Then Māgha addressed the Buddha in verse:
“Pucchāmahaṁ gotamaṁ vadaññuṁ, (iti māgho māṇavo) Kāsāyavāsiṁ agahaṁ carantaṁ; Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, Kathaṁ hutaṁ yajamānassa sujjhe”.
“I ask the bountiful Gotama,” said Māgha, “wearing an ochre robe, wandering homeless. Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, giving food and drink to others here: how is their offering purified?”
“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, (māghāti bhagavā) Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi”.
“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,” replied the Buddha, “makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, giving food and drink to others here: such a one would succeed due to those who are worthy of donations.”
“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, (iti māgho māṇavo) Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, Akkhāhi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye”.
“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,” said Māgha, “makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, giving food and drink to others here: explain to me who is worthy of donations.”
“Ye ve asattā vicaranti loke, Akiñcanā kevalino yatattā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
“Those who wander the world unattached, consummate, self-controlled, owning nothing: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye sabbasaṁyojanabandhanacchidā, Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those who have cut off all fetters and bonds, tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye sabbasaṁyojanavippamuttā, Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those who are released from all fetters, tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ, Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Having given up greed, hate, and delusion, with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Yesu na māyā vasati na māno, Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those in whom dwells no deceit or conceit, with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye vītalobhā amamā nirāsā, Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those rid of greed, unselfish, with no need for hope, with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye ve na taṇhāsu upātipannā, Vitareyya oghaṁ amamā caranti; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those not fallen prey to cravings, who, having crossed the flood, live unselfishly: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Yesaṁ taṇhā natthi kuhiñci loke, Bhavābhavāya idha vā huraṁ vā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those with no craving at all in the world for any state of existence in this life or the next: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti, Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those who have left sensuality behind, wandering homeless, self-controlled, straight as a shuttle: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā, Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those freed of greed, with senses stilled, like the moon released from the eclipse: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Samitāvino vītarāgā akopā, Yesaṁ gatī natthidha vippahāya; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those assuaged ones free of greed and anger, for whom there are no destinies, being rid of them in this life: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Jahitvā jātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ, Kathaṅkathiṁ sabbamupātivattā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
They’ve given up rebirth and death completely, and have gone beyond all indecision: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye attadīpā vicaranti loke, Akiñcanā sabbadhi vippamuttā; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those who live as their own island, everywhere free, owning nothing: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Ye hettha jānanti yathā tathā idaṁ, Ayamantimā natthi punabbhavoti; Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.
Those here who know this to be true: ‘This is my last life, there are no future lives’: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.
Yo vedagū jhānarato satīmā, Sambodhipatto saraṇaṁ bahūnaṁ; Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche, Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha”.
A knowledge master, loving absorption, mindful, who has reached awakening and is a refuge for many: that is where a brahmin seeking merit should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.”
“Addhā amoghā mama pucchanā ahu, (iti māgho māṇavo) Akkhāsi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye; Tvañhettha jānāsi yathā tathā idaṁ, Tathā hi te vidito esa dhammo.
“Clearly my questions were not in vain!” said Māgha, “The Buddha has explained to me who is worthy of donations. You are the one here who knows this to be true, for truly you understand this matter.
Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, Akkhāhi me bhagavā yaññasampadaṁ”.
Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, giving food and drink to others here: explain to me how to accomplish the sacrifice.”
“Yajassu yajamāno, (māghāti bhagavā) Sabbattha ca vippasādehi cittaṁ; Ārammaṇaṁ yajamānassa yañño, Ettha patiṭṭhāya jahāti dosaṁ.
“Sacrifice, and while doing so,” replied the Buddha, “be clear and confident in every way. Sacrifice is the ground standing upon which the sacrificer sheds their flaws.
So vītarāgo pavineyya dosaṁ, Mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvayamappamāṇaṁ; Rattindivaṁ satatamappamatto, Sabbā disā pharati appamaññaṁ”.
One free of greed, rid of anger, developing a heart of limitless love, spreads that limitlessness in every direction, ever diligent day and night.”
“Ko sujjhati muccati bajjhatī ca, Kenattanā gacchati brahmalokaṁ; Ajānato me muni brūhi puṭṭho, Bhagavā hi me sakkhi brahmajjadiṭṭho; Tuvañhi no brahmasamosi saccaṁ, Kathaṁ upapajjati brahmalokaṁ jutima”.
“Who is purified, freed, awake? How can one go to the realm of divinity oneself? I do not know, so please tell me when asked, for the Buddha is the divinity I see in person today! To us you are truly the equal of divinity. Brilliant One, how is one reborn in the realm of divinity?”
“Yo yajati tividhaṁ yaññasampadaṁ, (māghāti bhagavā) Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi; Evaṁ yajitvā sammā yācayogo, Upapajjati brahmalokanti brūmī”ti.
“One who accomplishes the sacrifice with three modes,” replied the Buddha, “such a one would succeed due to those who are worthy of donations. Sacrificing like this, one rightly committed to charity is reborn in the realm of divinity, I say.”
Evaṁ vutte, māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe… ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti. Māghasuttaṁ pañcamaṁ.
When he had spoken, the student Māgha said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”
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