1.1PTS 5.269Atha kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.Then the brahmin Jānussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

1.2Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha,2.1“Mayamassu, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā nāma.∥“We who are known as brahmins2.2Dānāni dema, saddhāni karoma:give gifts and perform memorial rites for the dead:2.3‘idaṁ dānaṁ petānaṁ ñātisālohitānaṁ upakappatu, idaṁ dānaṁ petā ñātisālohitā paribhuñjantū’ti.‘May this gift aid my departed relatives and kin. May they partake of this gift.’2.4Kacci taṁ, bho gotama, dānaṁ petānaṁ ñātisālohitānaṁ upakappati;But does this gift really aid departed relatives and kin?2.5kacci te petā ñātisālohitā taṁ dānaṁ paribhuñjantī”ti?Do they actually partake of it?”

2.6“Ṭhāne kho, brāhmaṇa, upakappati, no aṭṭhāne”ti.“It aids them if the conditions are right, brahmin, but not if the conditions are wrong.”

3.1“Katamaṁ pana, bho gotama, ṭhānaṁ, katamaṁ aṭṭhānan”ti?“Then, worthy Gotama, what are the right and wrong conditions?”

3.2“Idha, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pisuṇavāco hoti, pharusavāco hoti, samphappalāpī hoti, abhijjhālu hoti, byāpannacitto hoti, micchādiṭṭhiko hoti.“Brahmin, take someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.3.3So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā nirayaṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in hell.3.4Yo nerayikānaṁ sattānaṁ āhāro, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati.There they survive feeding on the food of the hell beings.3.5Idampi kho, brāhmaṇa, aṭṭhānaṁ yattha ṭhitassa taṁ dānaṁ na upakappati.The conditions there are wrong, so the gift does not aid the one who lives there.

4.1Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātī …pe… micchādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who kills living creatures … and has wrong view.4.2So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tiracchānayoniṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the animal realm.4.3Yo tiracchānayonikānaṁ sattānaṁ āhāro, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati.There they survive feeding on the food of the beings in the animal realm.4.4Idampi kho, brāhmaṇa, aṭṭhānaṁ yattha ṭhitassa taṁ dānaṁ na upakappati.The conditions there too are wrong, so the gift does not aid the one who lives there.

5.1PTS 5.270Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti, anabhijjhālu hoti, abyāpannacitto hoti, sammādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view.5.2So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manussānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the human realm.5.3Yo manussānaṁ āhāro, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati.There they survive feeding on human food.5.4Idampi kho, brāhmaṇa, aṭṭhānaṁ yattha ṭhitassa taṁ dānaṁ na upakappati.The conditions there too are wrong, so the gift does not aid the one who lives there.

6.1Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who doesn’t kill living creatures … and has right view.6.2So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the gods.6.3Yo devānaṁ āhāro, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati.There they survive feeding on the food of the gods.6.4Idampi, brāhmaṇa, aṭṭhānaṁ yattha ṭhitassa taṁ dānaṁ upakappati.The conditions there too are wrong, so the gift does not aid the one who lives there.

7.1Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti …pe… micchādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who kills living creatures … and has wrong view.7.2So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pettivisayaṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the ghost realm.7.3Yo pettivesayikānaṁ sattānaṁ āhāro, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati, yaṁ vā panassa ito anuppavecchanti mittāmaccā vā ñātisālohitā vā, tena so tattha yāpeti, tena so tattha tiṭṭhati.There they survive feeding on the food of the beings in the ghost realm. Or else they survive feeding on what friends and colleagues, relatives and kin provide them with from here.7.4Idaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, ṭhānaṁ yattha ṭhitassa taṁ dānaṁ upakappatī”ti.The conditions there are right, so the gift aids the one who lives there.”

8.1“Sace pana, bho gotama, so peto ñātisālohito taṁ ṭhānaṁ anupapanno hoti, ko taṁ dānaṁ paribhuñjatī”ti?“But worthy Gotama, who partakes of that gift if the departed relative is not reborn in that place?”

8.2“Aññepissa, brāhmaṇa, petā ñātisālohitā taṁ ṭhānaṁ upapannā honti, te taṁ dānaṁ paribhuñjantī”ti.“Other departed relatives reborn there will partake of that gift.”

9.1PTS 5.271“Sace pana, bho gotama, so ceva peto ñātisālohito taṁ ṭhānaṁ anupapanno hoti aññepissa ñātisālohitā petā taṁ ṭhānaṁ anupapannā honti, ko taṁ dānaṁ paribhuñjatī”ti?“But who partakes of the gift when neither that relative nor other relatives have been reborn in that place?”

9.2“Aṭṭhānaṁ kho etaṁ, brāhmaṇa, anavakāso yaṁ taṁ ṭhānaṁ vivittaṁ assa iminā dīghena addhunā yadidaṁ petehi ñātisālohitehi.“It’s impossible, brahmin, it cannot happen that that place is vacant of departed relatives in all this long time.9.3Api ca, brāhmaṇa, dāyakopi anipphalo”ti.It’s never fruitless for the donor.”

10.1“Aṭṭhānepi bhavaṁ gotamo parikappaṁ vadatī”ti?“Does the worthy Gotama propose this even when the conditions are wrong?”

10.2“Aṭṭhānepi kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, parikappaṁ vadāmi.“I propose this even when the conditions are wrong.10.3Idha, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pisuṇavāco hoti, pharusavāco hoti, samphappalāpī hoti, abhijjhālu hoti, byāpannacitto hoti, micchādiṭṭhiko hoti;Take someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.10.4so dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.They give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.10.5So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hatthīnaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of elephants.10.6So tattha lābhī hoti annassa pānassa mālānānālaṅkārassa.There they get to have food and drink, garlands and various adornments.

11.1Yaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, idha pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhiko, tena so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hatthīnaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.Since in this life they killed living creatures … and had wrong view, they were reborn in the company of elephants.11.2Yañca kho so dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ, tena so tattha lābhī hoti annassa pānassa mālānānālaṅkārassa.Since they gave to ascetics or brahmins … they get to have food and drink, garlands and various adornments.

12.1Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti …pe… micchādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who kills living creatures … and has wrong view.12.2So dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.They give to ascetics or brahmins …12.3So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā assānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati …pe…When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of horses. …12.4gunnaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati …pe…cattle …12.5kukkurānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.dogs.12.6So tattha lābhī hoti annassa pānassa mālānānālaṅkārassa.There they get to have food and drink, garlands and various adornments.

13.1PTS 5.272Yaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, idha pāṇātipātī …pe… micchādiṭṭhiko, tena so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kukkurānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.Since in this life they killed living creatures … and had wrong view, they were reborn in the company of dogs.13.2Yañca kho so dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ, tena so tattha lābhī hoti annassa pānassa mālānānālaṅkārassa.Since they gave to ascetics or brahmins … they get to have food and drink, garlands and various adornments.

14.1Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view.14.2So dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.They give to ascetics or brahmins …14.3So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manussānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the human realm.14.4So tattha lābhī hoti mānusakānaṁ pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ.There they get to have the five kinds of human sensual stimulation.

15.1Yaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, idha pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko, tena so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā manussānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.Since in this life they didn’t kill living creatures … and had right view, they were reborn in the company of humans.15.2Yañca kho so dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ, tena so tattha lābhī hoti mānusakānaṁ pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ.Since they gave to ascetics or brahmins … they get to have the five kinds of human sensual stimulation.

16.1PTS 5.273Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko hoti.Take someone else who doesn’t kill living creatures … and has right view.16.2So dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.They give to ascetics or brahmins …16.3So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the gods.16.4So tattha lābhī hoti dibbānaṁ pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ.There they get to have the five kinds of heavenly sensual stimulation.

17.1Yaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, idha pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko, tena so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati.Since in this life they didn’t kill living creatures … and had right view, they were reborn in the company of the gods.17.2Yañca kho so dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ, tena so tattha lābhī hoti dibbānaṁ pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ.Since they gave to ascetics or brahmins … they get to have the five kinds of heavenly sensual stimulation.17.3Api ca, brāhmaṇa, dāyakopi anipphalo”ti.It’s never fruitless for the donor.”

18.1“Acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.“It’s incredible, worthy Gotama, it’s amazing,18.2Yāvañcidaṁ, bho gotama, alameva dānāni dātuṁ, alaṁ saddhāni kātuṁ, yatra hi nāma dāyakopi anipphalo”ti.This is quite enough to justify giving gifts and performing memorial rites for the dead, since it’s never fruitless for the donor.”

18.3“Evametaṁ, brāhmaṇa, dāyakopi hi, brāhmaṇa, anipphalo”ti.“That’s so true, brahmin. It’s never fruitless for the donor.”

19.1“Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …19.2upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

19.3Ekādasamaṁ.

19.4Jāṇussoṇivaggo dutiyo.