The Dhanasutta,
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato.
This was said by the Buddha,
The perfected one.
That is what I heard.
Mendicants,
If sentient beings only knew,
As I do,
The fruit of giving and sharing,
They would not eat without first giving,
And the stain of stinginess would not occupy their minds.
They would not eat without sharing even their last mouthful,
Their last morsel,
So long as there was someone to receive it.
It is because sentient beings do not know,
As I do,
The fruit of giving and sharing that they eat without first giving,
And the stain of stinginess occupies their minds.
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said,
If sentient beings only knew how great is the fruit of giving and sharing as taught by the great seer,
Rid of the stain of stinginess with clear and confident heart,
They would duly give to the noble ones,
Where a gift is very fruitful.
Having given food in abundance to those worthy of a religious donation,
After passing from the human realm,
The givers go to heaven,
And when they have arrived there in heaven,
They enjoy all the pleasures they desire.
The generous enjoy the fruit of giving and sharing.
This too is a matter that was spoken by the blessed one.
That is what I heard.
