11. The Accomplishment of Charity or Generosity (Cāga-sampadā)

The accomplishment or achievement of charity (cāgasampadā) is one of the developments of spiritual and material welfare in the society. It is certainly needed for those who cannot be isolated in the society. The exposition of the Cāga-sampadā by the Buddha can be seen as follow.

It is included in Dīghajāṇu Sutta of Aṅguttara Nikāya.—

“Katamā ca, vyagghapajja, cāgasampadā? Idha, vyagghapajja, kulaputto vigatamalamaccharena cetasā, agāraṃ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṃvibhāgarato. Ayaṃ vuccati, vyagghapajja, cāgasampadā.”

“And what is achievement in charity? Herein a clansman dwells at home with heart purged of the stain of avarice, devoted to charity, openhanded, delighting in generosity, attending to the needy, delighting in the distribution of alms. This is called achievement in charity.”^[1]

“Katamā ca, brahmaṇa, cāga-sampadā? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako vigatamalamaccharena cetasā, agāraṃ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṃvibhṃgarato. Ayaṃ vuccati, brahmaṇa, cāgasampadā.”

“And what is perfection of generosity? Herein the Ariyan disciple lives at home with heart free from the taint of stinginess; he is open-handed, pure-handed, delighting in self-surrender, one to ask a favor of, and one who delights in dispensing charitable gifts. This, housefather, is called “perfection of generosity.”^[2]

In respect of Cāgasampadā, the discourses on Cāga can be seen in the Dīghajāṇu Sutta, Ujjaya Sutta, Pattakamma Sutta and Sampadā Sutta of Aṅguttara Nikāya. It can be found that the Buddha emphasizes Cāga in many places. Cāga can provide the development of material and spiritual welfare for oneself and others in present life and after death.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

An. I, P. 377. Pali Text Society II, P. 66. An. III, P. 110. Pali Text Society IV, P. 284.

[2]:

Ibid, P. 377. Ibid, P. 66. An. III, P. 113. Pali Text Society IV, P. 289.