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Aṅguttara Nikāya - The Numerical Discourses

5: The Book of the Fives

IV. With Sumanā — AN 5.36: Timely Gifts

1“Mendicants, there are these five timely gifts. What five? A gift to a visitor. A gift to someone setting out on a journey. A gift to someone who is sick. A gift at a time of famine. Presenting the freshly harvested grains and fruits first to those who are ethical. These are the five timely gifts.


2The wise give at the right time,
being kind and rid of stinginess.
A religious donation at the right time
to the noble ones, upright and poised,

3given with a clear and confident mind,
is indeed abundant.
Those who rejoice at that,
or do other services,
don’t miss out on the offering;
they too have a share in the merit.

4So you should give without holding back,
where a gift is very fruitful.
The good deeds of sentient beings
support them in the next world.”

1"Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, kāladānāni. Katamāni pañca? Āgantukassa dānaṁ deti; gamikassa dānaṁ deti; gilānassa dānaṁ deti; dubbhikkhe dānaṁ deti; yāni tāni navasassāni navaphalāni tāni paṭhamaṁ sīlavantesu patiṭṭhāpeti. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca kāladānānīti.


2Kāle dadanti sappaññā,
vadaññū vītamaccharā;
Kālena dinnaṁ ariyesu,
ujubhūtesu tādisu.

3Vippasannamanā tassa,
vipulā hoti dakkhiṇā;
Ye tattha anumodanti,
veyyāvaccaṁ karonti vā;
Na tena dakkhiṇā ūnā,
tepi puññassa bhāgino.

4Tasmā dade appaṭivānacitto,
Yattha dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ;
Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,
Patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan"ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.