Siha Sutta
On Generosity
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Vesali, in the Great Forest, at the Gabled Pavilion. Then General Siha went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One: “Is it possible, lord, to point out a fruit of generosity visible in the here and now?”
“It is possible, Siha. One who is generous, a master of giving, is dear and charming to people at large. And the fact that who is generous, a master of giving, is dear and charming to people at large: this is a fruit of generosity visible in the here and now.
“Furthermore, good people, people of integrity, admire one who is generous, a master of giving. And the fact that good people, people of integrity, admire one who is generous, a master of giving: this, too, is a fruit of generosity visible in the here and now.
“Furthermore, the fine reputation of one who is generous, a master of giving, is spread far and wide. And the fact that the fine reputation of one who is generous, a master of giving, is spread far and wide: this, too, is a fruit of generosity visible in the here and now.
“Furthermore, when one who is generous, a master of giving, approaches any assembly of people — noble warriors, Brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — he/she does so confidently and without embarrassment. And the fact that when one who is generous, a master of giving, approaches any assembly of people — noble warriors, Brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — he/she does so confidently and without embarrassment: this, too, is a fruit of generosity visible in the here and now.
“Furthermore, at the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world. And the fact that at the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world: this is a fruit of generosity in the next life.”
When this was said, General Siha said to the Blessed One: “As for the four fruits of generosity visible in the here and now that have been pointed out by the Blessed One, it’s not the case that I go by conviction in the Blessed One with regard to them. I know them, too. I am generous, a master of giving, dear and charming to people at large. I am generous, a master of giving; good people, people of integrity, admire me. I am generous, a master of giving, and my fine reputation is spread far and wide: ‘Siha is generous, a doer, a supporter of the Sangha.’ I am generous, a master of giving, and when I approach any assembly of people — noble warriors, Brahmans, householders, or contemplatives — I do so confidently and without embarrassment.
“But when the Blessed One says to me, ‘At the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world,’ that I do not know. That is where I go by conviction in the Blessed One.”
“So it is, Siha. So it is. At the break-up of the body, after death, one who is generous, a master of giving, reappears in a good destination, the heavenly world.”
One who gives is dear.
People at large admire him.
He gains honor. His status grows.
He enters an assembly unembarrassed.
He is confident — the man un-miserly.
Therefore the wise give gifts.
Seeking bliss, they would subdue the stain of miserliness.
Established in the three-fold heavenly world,
they enjoy themselves long
in fellowship with devas.
Having made the opportunity for themselves,
having done what is skillful,
then when they fall from here
they fare on, self-radiant, in Nandana [the garden of the devas].
There they delight, enjoy, are joyful,
replete with the five sensuality strands.
Having followed the words of the sage who is such,
they enjoy themselves in heaven —
disciples of the One Well-gone.