Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
IV. Dāna Vagga

The Book of the Eights

IV: On Giving

Sutta 31

Dāna Suttaṃ

On Giving (a)

[236] [160]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these eight ways of giving.¹

What eight?

One gives of one's own accord;²

one gives from fear;

one gives thinking:
"He gave to me";

or else when thinking:
"He will give to me or,

"It is good to give" or,

"I³ prepare food,
they do not;
though I cook,
I am not worthy to stop giving
to those who prepare no food";

or, "From this alms-giving of mine,
a fair report will be spread abroad";

or one gives to enrich and mellow the heart.

Monks, these are the eight ways of giving.'

¹ See Dial iii, 239.

² Āsajja, Dial., loc. cit.; Because an object of hospitality has approached; lit. seated, but the word can mean spontaneously, see P.E.D. s.v. The Comy. here patvā ... nisīdāpetvā. But there is possibly a contrast with giving from fear intended.