Macchari Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna (32) Macchari Ý Miserly

1. I heard thus. Once the Blessed One lived in Sàvatthi in Jeta's grove in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika.

2. When the night was waning a large number of deities of the Satullapa group, approached the Blessed One, illuminating the whole of Jeta's grove, worshiped the Blessed One and stood on a side.

3. One of those deities said thus in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "The miserly and the negligent do not give gifts such as these,
 * Desiring merit, gifts should be given knowing."

4. Then another deity said thus in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "With whatever fears the miserly do not give gifts,
 * Through that same fear, they give gifts
 * Hunger and thirst are the things that the miserly fear,
 * That same fear, touch them, in this and the other world.
 * Therefore lessen miserliness by giving gifts and overcoming stains
 * It's merit that establishes living beings in the next world."

5. Then another deity said thus in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "They do not die on account of the dead, like a jungle road abandoned for, its faults.
 * Even a little should be bestowed on them, that is the ancient lore
 * Some bestow a little, others do not give much.
 * Even a little given, brings thousandfold results.

6. Then another deity said thus in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "Seldom the giver, gives realizing the results of action
 * The unappeased do not know the results of action
 * The right Teaching is difficult to understand.
 * Therefore the mindful and the absent minded,
 * Have different courses of action
 * Those unappeased, go to hell, the appeased to heaven."
 * Then another deity in the presence of the Blessed One said:
 * "Venerable sir, whose words are good?"

'All these words are good words, yet listen to what I have to say.
 * He who lives a life of gleaning, according to the Teaching
 * Nourishing his wife and giving even a little, does better than
 * Making a thousand sacrifices to hundred thousands.
 * It does not reach up, even to a quarter."

8. Then another deity said thus in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "Why does such a great sacrifice,
 * Made rightfully not bear the highest results?
 * Making a thousand sacrifices, to hundred thousands.
 * Why does it not reach up, even to a quarter?"

9. The Blessed One replied that deity, saying this stanza:


 * "A certain one gives unrighteous gifts
 * By plundering, binding and causing grief
 * A thousand offerings with tearful eyes and punishment
 * Are not even a quarter, compared to a righteous offering."