Part 4 - Danavagga - Giving

26. Na samane na brahmane
na kapaniddhike na vanibbake
labbhana samvibhajeti
annam panañca bhojanam
tam ve avutthikasamo'ti
ahu nam purisadhamam.

Not with recluses or brahmans,
neither with the poor and needy
does the base man share his food
or give any drink or sustenance.
People say that selfish man
is like a drought, a rainless sky.

27. Ekaccanam na dadati
Ekaccanam pavecchati
tam ve padesavassiti
ahu medhavino jana.

One who shares his wealth with some,
but does not gladly give to others,
is only like a local shower:
in such a way the wise describe him.

28. Subhikkhavaco puriso
sabbabhutanuhampako
amodamano pakireti
detha detha ti bhasati.

But one who rains down bountiful gifts,
gladly giving here and there
out of compassion for all beings,
and who always says "Give, give" —

29. Yathapi megho thanayitva
gajjayitva pavassati
thalam ninnañca pureti
abhisandanto varina
evam eva idh'ekacco
puggalo hoti tadiso.

This type of person is like
a giant cloud filled with rain,
thundering and pouring down
refreshing water everywhere,
drenching the highlands and lowlands too,
generous without distinctions.

30. Dhammena samharitvana
utthanadhigatam dhanam
tappeti annapanena
samma satte vanibakke.

With his wealth collected justly,
won through his own efforts,
he shares both food and drink
with beings who are in need.

31. Yathapi kumbho sampunno
yassa kassaci adhokato
vamate udakam nissesam
na tattha parirakkhati.

Just as a pot filled with water
if overturned by anyone,
pours out all its water
and does not hold any back.

32. Tath'eva yacke disva
hinamukkatthamajjhime
dadahi danam nissesam
kumbho viya adhokato.

Even so, when you see those in need,
whether low, middle or high,
then give like the overturned pot,
holding nothing back.

33. Danañ ca peyyavajjañ ca
atthacariya ca ya idha
samanattata dhammesu
tattha tattha yatharaham
ete kho sangaha loke
rathass'ani va yayato.

Generosity, kind words,
doing a good turn for others,
and treating all people alike:
these bonds of sympathy are to the world
what the lynch-pin is to the chariot wheel.

34. Annado balado hoti
vatthado hoti vannado
yanado sukhado hoti
dipado hoti cakkhudo.

Giving food one gives strength,
giving clothes one gives beauty,
giving lamps one gives sight,
giving transport one gives delight.

35. So ca sabbadado hoti
yo dadati upassayam
amatam dado ca so hoti
yo dhammam anusasati.

Giving shelter one gives all;
but one who instructs in the Dhamma,
the excellent teaching of the Buddha,
such a person gives ambrosia.