SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 1 Connected Discourses With Deities – Devatāsaṁyutta > SN 1.32 Stinginess

Linked Discourses 1.32 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.32

4. The Satullapa Group – 4. Satullapakāyikavagga

SN 1.32 Stinginess – Maccharisutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Because of stinginess and negligence

“Maccherā ca pamādā ca,

a gift is not given.

evaṁ dānaṁ na dīyati;

Wanting merit,

Puññaṁ ākaṅkhamānena,

a smart person would give.”

deyyaṁ hoti vijānatā”ti.

Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“When a miser fails to give because of fear,

“Yasseva bhīto na dadāti maccharī,

the very thing they’re afraid of comes to pass.

Tadevādadato bhayaṁ;

The hunger and thirst

Jighacchā ca pipāsā ca,

that a miser fears

Yassa bhāyati maccharī;

hurt the fool

Tameva bālaṁ phusati,

in this world and the next.

Asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.

So you should dispel stinginess,

Tasmā vineyya maccheraṁ,

overcoming that stain, and give a gift.

dajjā dānaṁ malābhibhū;

The good deeds of sentient beings

Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,

support them in the next world.”

patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.

Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Among the dead they do not die,

“Te matesu na mīyanti,

those who, like fellow travelers on the road,

panthānaṁva sahabbajaṁ;

are happy to provide, though they have but little.

Appasmiṁ ye pavecchanti,

This is an eternal truth.

esa dhammo sanantano.

Some who have little are happy to provide,

Appasmeke pavecchanti,

while some who have much don’t wish to give.

bahuneke na dicchare;

An offering given from little

Appasmā dakkhiṇā dinnā,

is multiplied a thousand times.”

sahassena samaṁ mitā”ti.

Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

“Giving what’s hard to give,

“Duddadaṁ dadamānānaṁ,

doing what’s hard to do;

dukkaraṁ kamma kubbataṁ;

the wicked don’t act like this,

Asanto nānukubbanti,

for the teaching of the good is hard to follow.

sataṁ dhammo duranvayo.

That’s why the virtuous and the wicked

Tasmā satañca asataṁ,

have different destinations after leaving this place.

nānā hoti ito gati;

The wicked go to hell,

Asanto nirayaṁ yanti,

while the virtuous are bound for heaven.”

santo saggaparāyanā”ti.

Then another deity said to the Buddha,

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike etadavoca:

“Sir, who has spoken well?”

“kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?

“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also:

“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena; api ca mamapi suṇātha—

A hundred thousand people making a thousand sacrifices

Dhammaṁ care yopi samuñjakaṁ care,

isn’t worth a fraction

Dārañca posaṁ dadamappakasmiṁ;

of one who lives rightly, wandering for gleanings,

Sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

or one who supports their partner from what little they have.”

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.

Then another deity addressed the Buddha in verse:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“Why doesn’t that sacrifice of theirs, so abundant and magnificent,

“Kenesa yañño vipulo mahaggato,

equal the value of a moral person’s gift?

Samena dinnassa na agghameti;

How is it that a hundred thousand people making a thousand sacrifices

Kathaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by such a person?”

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.

“Some give based on immorality—

“Dadanti heke visame niviṭṭhā,

after injuring, killing, and tormenting.

Chetvā vadhitvā atha socayitvā;

Such an offering—tearful, violent—

Sā dakkhiṇā assumukhā sadaṇḍā,

in no way equals the value of a moral person’s gift.

Samena dinnassa na agghameti.

That’s how it is that a hundred thousand people making a thousand sacrifices

Evaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by such a person.”

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.