Five Kinds of Stinginess

WQ, Macchariya Sutras, Numerical Discourses, Book of the Fives (AN 5.254-259)*

The most meritorious form of giving (dana), in an ordinary sense, is support of the Ariya-Sangha. Since such "accomplished disciples" are so rare and difficult to identify, many Buddhists support the ordinary Sangha with the accomplished disciples in mind as seen here in a typical offering of rice to monks and novices in Asia.

I. Stinginess
"Meditators, there are these five forms of stinginess. Stinginess as to one's:

1. lodgings
2. family
3. gains
4. status
5. and stinginess as to sharing the Dharma.

These are the five forms of stinginess, and the pettiest of these five is stinginess as to sharing the Dharma."

After all, the Gift of Dharma (dhamma-dana) is the best of all gifts. For not only does it lead to enlightenment and nirvana, it promotes all other forms of giving. Likewise, it is said, liberation is the sweetest of all tastes (Dhammapada).

II. Stinginess
"With the abandoning and eradication of these five forms of stinginess, the Buddhist path is fulfilled. [See in more detail at Noble Eightfold Path.]

III. Stinginess
"Without abandoning these five qualities, one is incapable of entering and remaining in the First Meditative Accomplishment (jhana).

"However, by abandoning these five forms of stinginess, one is capable of entering and remaining in the First Meditative Accomplishment.

IV. Stinginess
"Without abandoning these five qualities, one is incapable of entering and remaining in the:

• Second Meditative Accomplishment
• The Third...
• The Fourth...

One is incapable of realizing the Fruit of:

• Stream-entry
• Once-returning
• Non-returning
• Full-enlightenment

"However, with the abandoning of these five forms of stinginess, one is capable of entering and remaining in these four meditative attainments and of realizing these four noble fruits.

V. Stinginess
"Without abandoning these five forms of stinginess, one is incapable of entering and remaining in the First Meditative Accomplishment. Stinginess as to one's:

1. lodgings
2. family
3. gains
4. status
5. and ingratitude

"But by abandoning these five forms of stinginess, one is capable of entering and remaining in them."

VI. Stinginess
"Without abandoning these five forms of stinginess, one is incapable of entering and remaining in these meditative attainments (jhanas) and of realizing these noble fruits up to and including full enlightenment (bodhi).

"However, with the abandoning of these five forms of stinginess, one is capable."

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www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.254.than.html.