1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.1.3Atha kho māgho māṇavo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.Then the student Māgha approached the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.¹1.4Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,1.5Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:and said to the Buddha:

2.1“Ahañhi, bho gotama, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo;“I’m a giver, worthy Gotama, a donor; I am bountiful and committed to charity.2.2dhammena bhoge pariyesāmi;I seek wealth in a principled manner,2.3dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāmi dvinnampi tiṇṇampi catunnampi pañcannampi channampi sattannampi aṭṭhannampi navannampi dasannampi dadāmi, vīsāyapi tiṁsāyapi cattālīsāyapi paññāsāyapi dadāmi, satassapi dadāmi, bhiyyopi dadāmi.and with that legitimate wealth I give to one person, to two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred people or even more.2.4Kaccāhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavāmī”ti?Giving and sacrificing like this, worthy Gotama, do I brim with much merit?”

3.1“Taggha tvaṁ, māṇava, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavasi.“Indeed you do, student.3.2Yo kho, māṇava, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo;A giver or donor who is bountiful and committed to charity,3.3dhammena bhoge pariyesati;who seeks wealth in a principled manner,3.4dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāti …pe… satassapi dadāti, bhiyyopi dadāti, bahuṁ so puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.and with that legitimate wealth gives to one person, or up to a hundred people or even more, brims with much merit.”3.5Atha kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi—Then Māgha addressed the Buddha in verse:

4.1“Pucchāmahaṁ gotamaṁ vadaññuṁ,“I ask the bountiful Gotama,”4.2(iti māgho māṇavo)said Māgha,4.3Kāsāyavāsiṁ agahaṁ carantaṁ;“wearing an ochre robe, wandering homeless.4.4Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity4.5Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,4.6Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,giving food and drink to others here:4.7Kathaṁ hutaṁ yajamānassa sujjhe”.how is their offering purified?”

5.1“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,”5.2(māghāti bhagavā)replied the Buddha,5.3Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;“makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,5.4Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,giving food and drink to others here:5.5Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi”.such a one would succeed due to those <j>who are worthy of donations.”²

6.1“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,”6.2(iti māgho māṇavo)said Māgha,6.3Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;“makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,6.4Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,giving food and drink to others here:6.5Akkhāhi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye”.explain to me who is worthy of donations.”

7.1“Ye ve asattā vicaranti loke,“Those who wander the world unattached,7.2Akiñcanā kevalino yatattā;consummate, self-controlled, owning nothing:7.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit7.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

8.1Ye sabbasaṁyojanabandhanacchidā,Those who have cut off all fetters and bonds,8.2Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope:8.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit8.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

9.1Ye sabbasaṁyojanavippamuttā,Those who are released from all fetters,9.2Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope:9.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit9.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

10.1Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ,Having given up greed, hate, and delusion,10.2Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed:10.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit10.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

11.1Yesu na māyā vasati na māno,Those in whom dwells no deceit or conceit,11.2Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed:11.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit11.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

12.1Ye vītalobhā amamā nirāsā,Those rid of greed, unselfish, with no need for hope,12.2Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed:12.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit12.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

13.1Ye ve na taṇhāsu upātipannā,Those not fallen prey to cravings,13.2Vitareyya oghaṁ amamā caranti;who, having crossed the flood, live unselfishly:13.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit13.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

14.1Yesaṁ taṇhā natthi kuhiñci loke,Those with no craving at all in the world14.2Bhavābhavāya idha vā huraṁ vā;for any state of existence in this life or the next:14.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit14.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

15.1Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti,Those who have left sensuality behind, <j>wandering homeless,15.2Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ;self-controlled, straight as a shuttle:15.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit15.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

16.1Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā,Those freed of greed, with senses stilled,16.2Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā;like the moon released from the eclipse:16.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit16.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

17.1Samitāvino vītarāgā akopā,Those assuaged ones free of greed and anger,17.2Yesaṁ gatī natthidha vippahāya;for whom there are no destinies, <j>being rid of them in this life:17.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit17.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

18.1Jahitvā jātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ,They’ve given up rebirth and death completely,18.2Kathaṅkathiṁ sabbamupātivattā;and have gone beyond all indecision:18.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit18.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

19.1Ye attadīpā vicaranti loke,Those who live as their own island,19.2Akiñcanā sabbadhi vippamuttā;everywhere free, owning nothing:19.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit19.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

20.1Ye hettha jānanti yathā tathā idaṁ,Those here who know this to be true:20.2Ayamantimā natthi punabbhavoti;‘This is my last life, there are no future lives’:20.3Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit20.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

21.1Yo vedagū jhānarato satīmā,A knowledge master, loving absorption, mindful,21.2Sambodhipatto saraṇaṁ bahūnaṁ;who has reached awakening and is a refuge for many:21.3Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche,that is where a brahmin seeking merit21.4Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha”.should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.”

22.1“Addhā amoghā mama pucchanā ahu,“Clearly my questions were not in vain!”22.2(iti māgho māṇavo)said Māgha,22.3Akkhāsi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye;“The Buddha has explained to me <j>who is worthy of donations.22.4Tvañhettha jānāsi yathā tathā idaṁ,You are the one here who knows this to be true,22.5Tathā hi te vidito esa dhammo.for truly you understand this matter.

23.1Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity23.2Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,23.3Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,giving food and drink to others here:23.4Akkhāhi me bhagavā yaññasampadaṁ”.explain to me how to accomplish the sacrifice.”

24.1“Yajassu yajamāno,“Sacrifice, and while doing so,”³24.2(māghāti bhagavā)replied the Buddha,24.3Sabbattha ca vippasādehi cittaṁ;“be clear and confident in every way.24.4Ārammaṇaṁ yajamānassa yañño,Sacrifice is the ground standing upon which24.5Ettha patiṭṭhāya jahāti dosaṁ.the sacrificer sheds their flaws.

25.1So vītarāgo pavineyya dosaṁ,One free of greed, rid of anger,25.2Mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvayamappamāṇaṁ;developing a heart of limitless love,25.3Rattindivaṁ satatamappamatto,spreads that limitlessness in every direction,25.4Sabbā disā pharati appamaññaṁ”.ever diligent day and night.”

26.1“Ko sujjhati muccati bajjhatī ca,“Who is purified, freed, awake?⁴26.2Kenattanā gacchati brahmalokaṁ;How can one go to the realm of divinity oneself?26.3Ajānato me muni brūhi puṭṭho,I do not know, so please tell me when asked,26.4Bhagavā hi me sakkhi brahmajjadiṭṭho;for the Buddha is the divinity I see in person today!26.5Tuvañhi no brahmasamosi saccaṁ,To us you are truly the equal of divinity.26.6Kathaṁ upapajjati brahmalokaṁ jutima”.Brilliant One, how is one reborn <j>in the realm of divinity?”

27.1“Yo yajati tividhaṁ yaññasampadaṁ,“One who accomplishes the sacrifice <j>with three modes,”⁵27.2(māghāti bhagavā)replied the Buddha,27.3Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi;“such a one would succeed <j>due to those who are worthy of donations.27.4Evaṁ yajitvā sammā yācayogo,Sacrificing like this, one rightly committed to charity27.5Upapajjati brahmalokanti brūmī”ti.is reborn in the realm of divinity, I say.”

28.1Evaṁ vutte, māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:When he had spoken, the student Māgha said to the Buddha,28.2“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …28.3ajjatagge 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.”

28.4Māghasuttaṁ pañcamaṁ.