Seri Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. "Gods and men, enjoy partaking food.
 * Yet this non-human does not enjoy food?"


 * "If food is bestowed to him out of faith, with a pleasant mind
 * That merit, the giver shares in this and the other world
 * Therefore give gifts to overcome,
 * the stains of miserliness.
 * Merit establishes beings, well in the other world."

2. Seri the son of the gods said to the Blessed One:
 * "Indeed, venerable sir, your words, are wonderful.


 * "If food is bestowed to him, out of faith, with a pleasant mind
 * That merit, the giver shares in this and the other world
 * Therefore give gifts to overcome the stains of miserliness
 * Merit establishes beings, well in the other world."

3. "Venerable sir, in the past there was a king named Seri. He was a benefactor, who praised giving gifts. That was me, I gave gifts at the four entrances to recluses, Brahmins, beggars, wayfarers and tramps.

4. Venerable sir, when I approached the women's quarters they said: "Gifts of the lord are given, our gifts are not given. Good! If we too give gifts because of our lord and make merit.

5. Venerable sir, then it occurred to me, I am a benefactor, I praise giving gifts. When they say, we want to give gifts, what shall I do? I gave the first entrance to the queens in the harem. There the queens gave gifts and my gifts were put aside

6. Venerable sir, then I approached the subordinate warrior kings, they said: "Gifts of me'lord are given, gifts of the ladies in the harem are given, our gifts are not given. Good! If we too give gifts because of our lord and make merit.

Venerable sir, then it occurred to me, I am a benefactor, I praise giving gifts. When they say, we want to give gifts, what shall I do? I gave the second entrance to the subordinate warrior kings. There, the sub ordinate warrior kings gave gifts and my gifts were put aside

7. Venerable sir, then I approached the forces they said: "Gifts of me'lord are given, gifts of the queens are given, gifts of the warrior subordinates are given, our gifts are not given. Good! If we too give gifts because of our lord and make merit.

Venerable sir, then it occurred to me, I am a benefactor, I praise giving gifts. When they say, we want to give gifts, what shall I do? I gave the third entrance to the forces. There the forces gave gifts and my gifts were put aside

8. Venerable sir, then I approached the Brahmin householders they said: "Gifts of me'lord are given, gifts of the queens are given, gifts of the warrior subordinates are given, gifts of the forces are given, our gifts are not given. Good! If we too give gifts because of our lord and make merit.

Venerable sir, then it occurred to me, I am a benefactor, I praise giving gifts. When they say, we want to give gifts, what shall I do? I gave the fourth entrance to the Brahmin householders. There the Brahmin householders gave gifts and my gifts were put aside

9. Then I approached the general public and they said, the gifts of the king are not given anywhere

Then, venerable sir, I said to those people: "Friends, of the wealth arising from the external states, give half to the treasury and with the other half give gifts to recluses, Brahmins, beggars, wayfarers and tramps.

10. Venerable sir, giving gifts and doing merit in this manner, I can not measure the magnitude of the merits and there results, as it is this much and this much and would have to enjoy heavenly bliss for such a length of time.

11. Indeed, venerable sir, your words, are wonderful.


 * "If food is bestowed to him, out of faith, with a pleasant mind
 * That merit, the giver shares in this and the other world
 * Therefore give gifts to overcome the stains of miserliness
 * Merit establishes beings, well in the other world."