Sutra: Giving Gifts

Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Crystal Quintero (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly version of the Dana Sutra (AN 7.49) based on Ven. Thanissaro (Geoffrey DeGraff) translation; FestivusWeb.com

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: This sutra discusses the motivations for being generous. It rates in ascending order the results different motivations tend to lead to. The Commentary notes that the highest motivation is untainted by lower motivations and leads to the stage of enlightenment known as "non-returning" (escaping from rebirth in this lower world). It requires a certain level of mastery in concentration (absorption) and insight (systematic contemplation) in order to be one's genuine motivation for giving.

 

Xmas tree ornament (zazzle.ca)

SUTRA: Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Campa, on the shore of Gaggara Lake. Then a large number of lay followers from Campa went to Ven. Sariputra (the male monk declared "foremost in wisdom" like the nun Ven. Khema) and having bowed, sat respectfully to one side. Sitting there they said to Ven. Sariputra:
 
"It has been a long time, venerable sir, since we have had a chance to hear a Dharma talk in the Blessed One's presence. It would be good if we could get to hear one in the Blessed One's presence."
 
"Then in that case, friends, come again on the next lunar observance (uposatha) day, and perhaps you will get to hear a Dharma talk in the Blessed One's presence."
 
"As you say, venerable sir," the lay followers from Campa replied. And rising from their seats, bowing, and respectfully circling him -- keeping him on their right -- they departed.
 
Seeing the Buddha

Seeing the Buddha on Xmas: Hey, in the mirror...or next to it (hoardedordinaries).

.

Eve the Red Nosed Lady (Kevin Dooley)

On the following lunar observance day, the lay followers of Campa went to Ven. Sariputra, bowed, and stood to one side. Then Ven. Sariputra, together with the lay followers from Campa, went to the Blessed One, bowed, sat respectfully to one side, and said to the Blessed One:
 
"Might there be the case where a person gives a gift of a certain sort and it does not bear great fruit or great benefit, whereas another person gives a gift of the same sort and it does bear great fruit and great benefit?"
 
"Yes, Sariputra, there is the case where a person gives a gift of a certain sort and it does not bear great fruit or great benefit, whereas another person gives a gift of the same sort and it does bear great fruit and great benefit."
 
"Venerable sir, what is the cause, what is the reason, why a person gives a gift of a certain sort and it does not bear great fruit or great benefit, whereas another person gives a gift of the same sort and it does bear great fruit and great benefit?"
 
"Sariputra, there is the case where a person gives a gift seeking profit, with a mind/heart attached [to a reward], seeking to store up something [with the motive], 'I'll enjoy this after death.' One gives a gift/donation/charity -- food, drink, clothing, a vehicle; a garland, cream, and salve; bedding, shelter, and a lamp -- to a Brahmin or an ascetic. What do you think, Sariputra? Might a person give such a gift as this?"
 
"Yes, venerable sir."
 
"Having given this gift seeking profit -- with a mind/heart attached [to a reward], seeking to store up something [with the motive], 'I'll enjoy this after death' -- on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of the Four Great Kings (one plane of existence up from the human plane). Then, having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world (by rebirth).
 
"Then there is the case of a person who gives a gift not seeking profit, not with a mind/heart attached [to a reward], not seeking to store up something [with the motive], 'I'll enjoy this after death.' Instead, one gives a gift with the motive, 'Giving is good.'

"One gives a gift -- food, drink, clothing, a vehicle; a garland, cream, and salve; bedding, shelter, and a lamp -- to a Brahmin or ascetic. What do you think, Sariputra? Might a person give such a gift as this?"
 
"Yes, venerable sir."
 

Sujata gives to Siddhartha and he becomes the Buddha

"Having given this gift with the thought, 'Giving is good,' on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of the Devas of the Thirty-three (Tavatimsa, the home of Sakka, King of those Devas, two worlds up). Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world.
 
"Or instead of thinking 'Giving is good,' one gives a gift with the motive, 'This was given in the past, done in the past, by my father and grandfather. It would not be right for me to let this old family tradition and custom to be discontinued'... on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company or the Yama Devas. Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world.
 
"Or instead... one gives a gift with the motive, 'I am well off. They are not well off. It would not be right for me, being well off, not to give a gift to those who are not well off'... on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of the Contented Devas. Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world.
 
"Or instead... one gives a gift with the motive, 'Just as there were the great sacrifices of the sages of the past -- Atthaka, Vamaka, Vamadeva, Vessamitta, Yamataggi, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vasettha, Kassapa, and Bhagu -- in the same way will this be my giving of gifts'... on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of the Devas who Delight in Creation. Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world.

"Or instead... one gives a gift with the motive, 'When this gift of mine is given, it makes the mind/heart serene. Satisfaction and joy arise'... on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of the Devas who have Power over the Creations of Others. Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a returner, coming back to this world.
 
"Or instead of the motive, 'When this gift of mine is given, it makes the mind/heart serene. Satisfaction and joy arise,' one gives a gift with the motive, 'This is an ornament for the mind/heart, a support for the mind/heart.' One gives a gift -- food, drink, clothing, a vehicle; a garland, cream, and salve; bedding, shelter, and a lamp -- to a Brahmin or an ascetic. What do you think, Sariputra? Might a person give such a gift as this?"
 
"Yes, venerable sir."
 
"Having given this, not seeking profit, not with a mind/heart attached [to a reward], not seeking to store up something, nor [with the motive], 'I'll enjoy this after death,'
 
"-- nor with the motive, 'Giving is good,'
  
"-- nor with the motive, 'This was given in the past, done in the past, by my father and grandfather. It would not be right for me to let this old family tradition and custom to be discontinued,'
 
"-- nor with the motive, 'I am well off. They are not well off. It would not be right for me, being well off, not to give a gift to those who are not well off,' nor with the motive, 'Just as there were the great sacrifices of the sages of the past...in the same way this will be my giving of gifts,'
 
"-- nor with the motive, 'When this gift of mine is given, it makes the mind/heart serene. Satisfaction and joy arise,'
 
"-- but with the motive, 'This is an ornament for the mind/heart, a support for the mind/heart' -- on the breakup of the body, after death, one reappears in the company of Brahma's Retinue. Then having exhausted that karma, that power, that status, that sovereignty, one is a non-returner. One does not come back to this world.

 
"This, Sariputra, is the cause, this is the reason, why a person gives a gift of a certain sort and it does not bear great fruit or great benefit, whereas another person gives a gift of the same sort and it does bear great fruit and great benefit.

• See also A Worthy Person's Gifts (AN 5.148)

Bah humbug! Seinfeld's Mr. Costanza was right. Who needs anything but Festivus?!