Maccharisutta

Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.32

Linked Discourses 1.32

4. Satullapakāyikavagga

4. The Host of a Hundred Felicities

Maccharisutta

Stinginess

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

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

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

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

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

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

“Maccherā ca pamādā ca,

“Because of stinginess and negligence

evaṁ dānaṁ na dīyati;

a gift is not given.

Puññaṁ ākaṅkhamānena,

Wanting merit,

deyyaṁ hoti vijānatā”ti.

a smart person would give.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

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

“Yasseva bhīto na dadāti maccharī,

“When a miser fails to give because of fear,

Tadevādadato bhayaṁ;

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

Jighacchā ca pipāsā ca,

The hunger and thirst

Yassa bhāyati maccharī;

that a miser fears

Tameva bālaṁ phusati,

hurt the fool

Asmiṁ loke paramhi ca.

in this world and the next.

Tasmā vineyya maccheraṁ,

So you should dispel stinginess,

dajjā dānaṁ malābhibhū;

overcoming that stain, and give a gift.

Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,

The good deeds of sentient beings

patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.

support them in the next world.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

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

“Te matesu na mīyanti,

“Among the dead they do not die,

panthānaṁva sahabbajaṁ;

those who, like fellow travelers on the road,

Appasmiṁ ye pavecchanti,

are happy to provide, though they have but little.

esa dhammo sanantano.

This is an ancient teaching.

Appasmeke pavecchanti,

Some who have little are happy to provide,

bahuneke na dicchare;

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

Appasmā dakkhiṇā dinnā,

An offering given from little

sahassena samaṁ mitā”ti.

is multiplied a thousand times.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

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

“Duddadaṁ dadamānānaṁ,

“Giving what’s hard to give,

dukkaraṁ kamma kubbataṁ;

doing what’s hard to do;

Asanto nānukubbanti,

the wicked don’t act like this,

sataṁ dhammo duranvayo.

for the teaching of the good is hard to follow.

Tasmā satañca asataṁ,

That’s why the virtuous and the wicked

nānā hoti ito gati;

have different destinations after here.

Asanto nirayaṁ yanti,

The wicked go to hell,

santo saggaparāyanā”ti.

while the virtuous are bound for heaven.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike etadavoca:

Then another deity said to the Buddha,

“kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?

“Sir, who has spoken well?”

“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena; api ca mamapi suṇātha—

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

Dhammaṁ care yopi samuñjakaṁ care,

A hundred thousand people
making a thousand sacrifices

Dārañca posaṁ dadamappakasmiṁ;

isn’t worth a fraction of that sort,

Sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

who lives rightly, wandering for gleanings,

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.

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

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then another deity addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Kenesa yañño vipulo mahaggato,

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

Samena dinnassa na agghameti;

equal the value of a moral person’s gift?

Kathaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

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

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.

isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by that sort?”

“Dadanti heke visame niviṭṭhā,

“Some give based on immorality—

Chetvā vadhitvā atha socayitvā;

after slaying, killing, and tormenting.

Sā dakkhiṇā assumukhā sadaṇḍā,

Such an offering—tearful, violent—

Samena dinnassa na agghameti.

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

Evaṁ sataṁ sahassānaṁ sahassayāginaṁ,

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

Kalampi nāgghanti tathāvidhassa te”ti.

isn’t worth a fraction of what’s offered by that sort.”