Dakkhinavibhangasuttam - The Analysis of Offerings

Dakkhiõàvibhaïgasuttaü (MN 142)
The Discourse giving the Analysis of Offerings

Edited & Translated by ânandajoti Bhikkhu

(January 2008/2551)

The Setting

Evaü me ⁰¹ sutaü:
Thus I heard:

ekaü samayaü Bhagavà Sakkesu viharati Kapilavatthusmiü Nigrodhàràme.
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling amongst the Sakyas, near to Kapilavatthu, in Nigrodha's Monastery. ⁰²

Atha kho Mahàpajàpatã ⁰³ Gotamã navaü dussayugaü àdàya yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
Then Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã, having taken a new pair of cloths approached the Gracious One,

upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekam-antaü nisãdi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, she sat down on one side.

Ekam-antaü nisinnà kho Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã said this to the Gracious One:

ßIdaü me bhante navaü dussayugaü Bhagavantaü uddissa,
ßThis new pair of robes, ⁰⁴ reverend Sir, is for the Gracious One,

sàmaü kantaü sàmaü vàyitaü.
I have cut them myself, I have sewn them myself.

Taü me bhante Bhagavà pañiggaõhàtu anukampaü upàdàyàû ti.
Please accept this from me, reverend Sir, Gracious One, taking compassion (on me).û

Evaü vutte, Bhagavà Mahàpajàpatiü Gotamiü etad-avoca:
After that was said, the Gracious One said this to Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã:

ßSaïghe Gotami dehi, Saïghe te dinne ahaÿ-ceva påjito bhavissàmi Saïgho càû ti.
ßGive them to the Community, Gotamã, when you have given them to the Community, you will have offered them to me and the Community.û

Dutiyam-pi kho Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
For a second time Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã said this to the Gracious One:

ßIdaü me bhante navaü dussayugaü Bhagavantaü uddissa,
ßThis new pair of robes, reverend Sir, is for the Gracious One,

sàmaü kantaü sàmaü vàyitaü.
I have cut them myself, I have sewn them myself.

Taü me bhante Bhagavà pañiggaõhàtu anukampaü upàdàyàû ti.
Please accept this from me, reverend Sir, Gracious One, taking compassion (on me).û

Dutiyam-pi kho Bhagavà Mahàpajàpatiü Gotamiü etad-avoca:
For a second time the Gracious One said this to Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã:

ßSaïghe, Gotami, dehi, Saïghe te dinne ahaÿ-ceva påjito bhavissàmi Saïgho càû ti.
ßGive them to the Community, Gotamã, when you have given them to the Community, you will have offered them to me and the Community.û

Tatiyam-pi kho Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
For a third time Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã said this to the Gracious One:

ßIdaü me bhante navaü dussayugaü Bhagavantaü uddissa,
ßThis new pair of robes, reverend Sir, is for the Gracious One,

sàmaü kantaü sàmaü vàyitaü.
I have cut them myself, I have sewn them myself.

Taü me bhante Bhagavà pañiggaõhàtu anukampaü upàdàyàû ti.
Please accept this from me, reverend Sir, Gracious One, taking compassion (on me).û

Tatiyam-pi kho Bhagavà Mahàpajàpatiü Gotamiü etad-avoca:
For a third time the Gracious One said this to Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã:

ânanda's Intercession

Evaü vutte, àyasmà ânando Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
After this was said, venerable ânanda said this to the Gracious One:

ßPañiggaõhàtu bhante Bhagavà Mahàpajàpatiyà Gotamiyà navaü dussayugaü.
ßPlease accept, reverend Sir, Gracious One, ⁰⁵ the new pair of robes from Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã.

Bahåpakàrà ⁰⁶ bhante Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã Bhagavato,
Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã, reverend Sir, has been a big help to the Gracious One,

màtucchà àpàdikà posikà khãrassa dàyikà.
as Mother's Sister, foster-mother, step-mother, wet-nurse.

Bhagavantaü Janettiyà kàlaïkatàya ⁰⁷ thaÿÿaü pàyesi.
When your Mother passed away she suckled the Gracious One with mother's milk. ⁰⁸

Bhagavà pi bhante bahåpakàro Mahàpajàpatiyà Gotamiyà.
Also the Gracious One, reverend Sir, has been a big help to Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã.

Bhagavantaü bhante àgamma Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã
Because of the Gracious One, reverend Sir, Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã

Buddhaü saraõaü gatà, Dhammaü saraõaü gatà, Saïghaü saraõaü gatà.
has gone for refuge in the Buddha, has gone for refuge in the Dhamma, has gone for refuge in the Community.

Bhagavantaü bhante àgamma Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã
Because of the Gracious One, reverend Sir, Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã

pàõàtipàtà pañiviratà, adinnàdànà pañiviratà, kàmesu micchàcàrà pañiviratà,
refrains from killing living creatures, refrains from taking what has not been given, refrains from sexual misconduct,

musàvàdà pañiviratà, suràmerayamajjapamàdaññhànà pañiviratà.
refrains from false speech, refrains from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness.

Bhagavantaü bhante àgamma Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã
Because of the Gracious One, reverend Sir, Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã

Buddhe aveccappasàdena samannàgatà, Dhamme aveccappasàdena samannàgatà,
is endowed with perfect confidence in the Buddha, is endowed with perfect confidence in the Dhamma,

Saïghe aveccappasàdena samannàgatà, Ariyakantehi sãlehi samannàgatà.
is endowed with perfect confidence in the Community, is endowed with the virtue that is agreeable to the Ariyas. ⁰⁹

Bhagavantaü bhante àgamma Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã
Because of the Gracious One, reverend Sir, Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã

dukkhe nikkaïkhà, dukkhasamudaye nikkaïkhà,
has no doubt about suffering, has no doubt about the arising of suffering,

dukkhanirodhe nikkaïkhà, dukkhanirodhagàminiyà pañipadàya nikkaïkhà.
has no doubt about the cessation of suffering, has no doubt about the practice going to the end of suffering.

Bhagavà pi bhante bahåpakàro Mahàpajàpatiyà Gotamiyàû ti.
The Gracious One, reverend Sir, has been a big help to Mahàpajàpatã Gotamã.û

The Buddha's Reply

ßEvam-etaü, ânanda, evam-etaü, ânanda. ¹⁰
ßJust so, ânanda, just so, ânanda.

Yaü h' ânanda, puggalo puggalaü àgamma
For the person, ânanda, who because of another person

Buddhaü saraõaü gato hoti, Dhammaü saraõaü gato hoti,
has gone for refuge in the Buddha, has gone for refuge in the Dhamma,

Saïghaü saraõaü gato hoti,
has gone for refuge in the Community,

imass' ânanda, puggalassa iminà puggalena na suppañikàraü ¹¹ vadàmi,
ânanda, ¹² it is not easy for that person to be repaid by the (other) person, I say,

yad-idaü: abhivàdanapaccuññhànàÿjalikammasàmãcikamma-
that is to say: with worship, rising from one's seat, reverential salutation, homage,

cãvarapiõóapàtasenàsanagilànappaccayabhesajjaparikkhàrànuppadànena. ¹³
gifts of robes, alms-food, dwellings, and requisites of medicine for support when sick.

Yaü h' ânanda, puggalo puggalaü àgamma
For the person, ânanda, who because of another person

pàõàtipàtà pañivirato hoti, adinnàdànà pañivirato hoti,
has refrained from killing living creatures, has refrained from taking what has not been given,

kàmesu micchàcàrà pañivirato hoti, musàvàdà pañivirato hoti,
has refrained from sexual misconduct, has refrained from false speech,

suràmerayamajjapamàdaññhànà pañivirato hoti,
has refrained from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness,

imass' ânanda, puggalassa iminà puggalena na suppañikàraü vadàmi,
ânanda, it is not easy for that person to be repaid by the (other) person, I say,

yad-idaü: abhivàdanapaccuññhànàÿjalikammasàmãcikamma-
that is to say: with worship, rising from one's seat, reverential salutation, homage,

cãvarapiõóapàtasenàsanagilànappaccayabhesajjaparikkhàrànuppadànena.
gifts of robes, alms-food, dwellings, and requisites of medicine for support when sick.

Yaü h' ânanda, puggalo puggalaü àgamma
For the person, ânanda, who because of another person

Buddhe aveccappasàdena samannàgato hoti,
is endowed with perfect confidence in the Buddha,

Dhamme aveccappasàdena samannàgato hoti,
is endowed with perfect confidence in the Dhamma,

Saïghe aveccappasàdena samannàgato hoti,
is endowed with perfect confidence in the Community,

Ariyakantehi sãlehi samannàgato hoti,
is endowed with the virtue that is agreeable to the Ariyas,

imass' ânanda, puggalassa iminà puggalena na suppañikàraü vadàmi,
ânanda, it is not easy for that person to be repaid by the (other) person, I say,

yad-idaü: abhivàdanapaccuññhànàÿjalikammasàmãcikamma-
that is to say: with worship, rising from one's seat, reverential salutation, homage,

cãvarapiõóapàtasenàsanagilànappaccayabhesajjaparikkhàrànuppadànena.
gifts of robes, alms-food, dwellings, and requisites of medicine for support when sick.

Yaü h' ânanda, puggalo puggalaü àgamma
For the person, ânanda, who because of another person

dukkhe nikkaïkho hoti, dukkhasamudaye nikkaïkho hoti,
has no doubt about suffering, has no doubt about the arising of suffering,

dukkhanirodhe nikkaïkho hoti,
has no doubt about the cessation of suffering,

dukkhanirodhagàminiyà pañipadàya nikkaïkho hoti,
has no doubt about the practice going to the end of suffering,

imass' ânanda, puggalassa iminà puggalena na suppañikàraü vadàmi,
ânanda, it is not easy for that person to be repaid by the (other) person, I say,

yad-idaü: abhivàdanapaccuññhànàÿjalikammasàmãcikamma-
that is to say: with worship, rising from one's seat, reverential salutation, homage,

cãvarapiõóapàtasenàsanagilànappaccayabhesajjaparikkhàrànuppadànena.
gifts of robes, alms-food, dwellings, and requisites of medicine for support when sick.

The Fourteen Kinds of Offerings to an Individual

Cuddasa kho panim' ânanda pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
There are these fourteen offerings to an individual.

Katamà cuddasa? ¹⁴
What fourteen?

Tathàgate Arahante Sammàsambuddhe dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a Realised One, a Worthy One, a Perfect Sambuddha,

ayaü pañhamà pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the first offering to an individual.

Paccekasambuddhe dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to an Independent Sambuddha, ¹⁵

ayaü dutiyà pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the second offering to an individual.

Tathàgatasàvake Arahante dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a Realised One's disciple who is a Worthy One,

ayaü tatiyà pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the third offering to an individual.

Arahattaphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Worthiness,

ayaü catutthã ¹⁶ pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the fourth offering to an individual.

Anàgàmissa dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a Non-Returner,

ayaü paÿcamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the fifth offering to an individual.

Anàgàmiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Non-Returning,

ayaü chaññhã ¹⁷ pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the sixth offering to an individual.

Sakadàgàmissa dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a Once-Returner,

ayaü sattamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the seventh offering to an individual.

Sakadàgàmiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Once-Returning,

ayaü aññhamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the eighth offering to an individual.

Sotàpanne dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a Stream-Enterer,

ayaü navamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the ninth offering to an individual.

Sotàpattiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Stream-Entry,

ayaü dasamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the tenth offering to an individual.

Bàhirake kàmesu vãtaràge dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to an outsider who is without passion for sensual desires, ¹⁸

ayaü ekàdasamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the eleventh offering to an individual.

Puthujjanasãlavante dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to a virtuous ordinary person, ¹⁹

ayaü dvàdasamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the twelfth offering to an individual.

Puthujjanadussãle dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to an unvirtuous ordinary person, ²⁰

ayaü terasamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà.
this is the thirteenth offering to an individual.

Tiracchànagate dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to an animal,

ayaü cuddasamã pàñipuggalikà dakkhiõà ti.
this is the fourteenth offering to an individual.

Tatr' ânanda, tiracchànagate dànaü datvà
Here, ânanda, having given a gift to an animal

sataguõà dakkhiõà pàñikaïkhitabbà,
a hundred-fold offering is to be expected (in return),

puthujjanadussãle dànaü datvà
having given a gift to an unvirtuous ordinary person

sahassaguõà dakkhiõà pàñikaïkhitabbà,
a thousand-fold offering is to be expected (in return),

puthujjanasãlavante dànaü datvà
having given a gift to a virtuous ordinary person

satasahassaguõà dakkhiõà pàñikaïkhitabbà,
a hundred-thousand-fold offering is to be expected (in return),

bàhirake kàmesu vãtaràge dànaü datvà
having given a gift to an outsider who is without passion for sensual desires

koñisatasahassaguõà dakkhiõà pàñikaïkhitabbà,
a hundred-thousand times a hundred-thousand-fold offering is to be expected (in return),

sotàpattiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne dànaü datvà
having given a gift to one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Stream-Entry

asaïkheyyà appameyyà dakkhiõà pàñikaïkhitabbà.
an immeasurable, unlimited offering is to be expected (in return).

Ko pana vàdo Sotàpanne?
What to say about a Stream-Enterer?

Ko pana vàdo Sakadàgàmiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne?
What to say about one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Once-Returning?

Ko pana vàdo Sakadàgàmissa?
What to say about a Once-Returner?

Ko pana vàdo Anàgàmiphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne?
What to say about one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Non-Returning?

Ko pana vàdo Anàgàmissa?
What to say about a Non-Returner?

Ko pana vàdo Arahattaphalasacchikiriyàya pañipanne?
What to say about one who has entered upon the way to experiencing the fruit of Worthiness?

Ko pana vàdo Arahante?
What to say about a Worthy One?

Ko pana vàdo Paccekasambuddhe?
What to say about an Detached Sambuddha?

Ko pana vàdo Tathàgate Arahante Sammàsambuddhe?
What to say about a Realised One, a Worthy One, a Perfect Sambuddha?

The Seven Kinds of Offerings to a Community

Satta kho panim' ânanda Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
There are these seven offerings to a Community. ²¹

Katamà satta? ²²
What seven?

Buddhappamukhe ubhatosaïghe dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to both Communities, with the Buddha at their head,

ayaü pañhamà Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the first offering to a Community.

Tathàgate parinibbute ubhatosaïghe dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to both Communities, after the Realised One has attained Emancipation,

ayaü dutiyà Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the second offering to a Community.

Bhikkhusaïghe dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to the monks' Community,

ayaü tatiyà Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the third offering to a Community.

Bhikkhuõisaïghe ²³ dànaü deti,
A gift one gives to the nuns' Community,

ayaü catutthã Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the fourth offering to a Community.

`Ettakà ²⁴ me bhikkhå ca bhikkhuõiyo ca Saïghato uddissathà' ti dànaü deti,
A gift one gives after saying `this many monks and nuns have been nominated from the monks' and nuns' Community',

ayaü paÿcamã Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the fifth offering to a Community.

`Ettakà me bhikkhå Saïghato uddissathà' ti dànaü deti,
A gift one gives after saying `this many monks have been nominated from the monks' Community',

ayaü chaññhã Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the sixth offering to a Community.

`Ettakà ²⁵ me bhikkhuõiyo Saïghato uddissathà' ti dànaü deti,
A gift one gives after saying `this many nuns have been nominated from the nuns' Community',

ayaü sattamã Saïghagatà dakkhiõà.
this is the seventh offering to a Community.

Bhavissanti kho pan' ânanda anàgatam-addhànaü,
There will be in the future, ânanda,

gotrabhuno kàsàvakaõñhà dussãlà pàpadhammà.
clansmen with an ochre robe around their necks who are unvirtuous and bad-natured.

Tesu dussãlesu Saïghaü uddissa dànaü dassanti
But even a gift that is given to those unvirtuous ones because of the Community

tadà pàhaü ânanda Saïghagataü dakkhiõaü asaïkheyyaü appameyyaü vadàmi.
at that time, ânanda, will be an immeasureable, unlimited offering to the Community, I say. ²⁶

Na tvevàhaü ânanda kenaci pariyàyena,
I certainly in no way, ânanda,

Saïghagatàya dakkhiõàya pàñipuggalikaü dànaü ²⁷ mahapphalataraü vadàmi.
say that a gift to an individual can have greater fruit than an offering to a Community.

The Purification of Offerings

Catasso kho panim' ânanda ²⁸ dakkhiõà visuddhiyo.
There are, ânanda, these four purifications of offerings.

Katamà catasso?
Which four?

Atth' ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato,
There is an offering that is purified by the giver, not by the receiver,

atth' ânanda dakkhiõà pañiggàhakato visujjhati no dàyakato,
there is an offering that is purified by the receiver, not by the giver,

atth' ânanda dakkhiõà neva dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato,
there is an offering that is neither purified by the giver nor by the receiver,

atth' ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato ceva visujjhati pañiggàhakato ca.
there is an offering that is purified by the giver and by the receiver,

Kathaÿ-c' ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato?
What, ânanda, is an offering that is purified by the giver not by the receiver?

Idh' ânanda dàyako hoti sãlavà kalyàõadhammo,
Here, ânanda, the giver is virtuous and good-natured,

pañiggàhakà honti dussãlà pàpadhammà,
and the receivers are unvirtuous and bad-natured, ²⁹

evaü kho ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato.
in this way, ânanda, the offering is purified by the giver not by the receiver.

Kathaÿ-c' ânanda, dakkhiõà pañiggàhakato visujjhati no dàyakato?
What, ânanda, is an offering that is purified by the receiver not by the giver?

Idh' ânanda dàyako hoti dussãlo pàpadhammo,
Here, ânanda, the giver is unvirtuous and bad-natured,

pañiggàhakà honti sãlavanto kalyàõadhammà,
and the receivers are virtuous and good-natured,

evaü kho ânanda dakkhiõà pañiggàhakato visujjhati no dàyakato.
in this way, ânanda, the offering is purified by the receiver not by the giver.

Kathaÿ-c' ânanda dakkhiõà neva dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato?
What, ânanda, is an offering that is neither purified by the giver nor by the receiver?

Idh' ânanda dàyako ca hoti dussãlo pàpadhammo,
Here, ânanda, the giver is unvirtuous and bad-natured,

pañiggàhakà ca honti dussãlà pàpadhammà,
and the receivers are unvirtuous and bad-natured,

evaü kho ânanda dakkhiõà neva dàyakato visujjhati no pañiggàhakato.
in this way, ânanda, the offering is purified neither by the giver nor by the receiver.

Kathaÿ-c' ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato ceva visujjhati pañiggàhakato ca?
What, ânanda, is an offering that is purified by the giver and by the receiver?

Idh' ânanda dàyako ca hoti sãlavà kalyàõadhammo,
Here, ânanda, the giver is virtuous and good-natured,

pañiggàhakà ca honti sãlavanto kalyàõadhammà
and the receivers are virtuous and good-natured,

evaü kho ânanda dakkhiõà dàyakato ceva visujjhati pañiggàhakato ca.
in this way, ânanda, the offering is purified by the giver and by the receiver.

Imà kho ânanda catasso dakkhiõà visuddhiyoû ti.
These, ânanda, are these four purifications of offerings.

Summary Verse

Idam-avoca Bhagavà, idaü vatvàna, Sugato athàparaü etad-avoca Satthà:
The Gracious One said this, and after saying this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, said something more: ³⁰

ßYo sãlavà dussãlesu dadàti dànaü, dhammena laddhaü supasannacitto, ³¹
ßThat virtuous person who, with a mind full of confidence, gives a gift that has been righteously obtained to unvirtuous people,

abhisaddahaü kammaphalaü uëàraü, sà dakkhiõà dàyakato visujjhati.
who has great faith in actions and their results, that gift will be purified by the giver. ³²

Yo dussãlo sãlavantesu dadàti dànaü, adhammena laddhaü appasannacitto,
That unvirtuous person who, with a mind lacking in confidence, gives a gift that has been unrighteously obtained to virtuous people,

anabhisaddahaü kammaphalaü uëàraü, sà dakkhiõà pañiggàhakato visujjhati.
who do not have great faith in actions and their results, that gift will be purified by the receiver.

Yo dussãlo dussãlesu dadàti dànaü, adhammena laddhaü appasannacitto,
That unvirtuous person who, with a mind lacking in confidence, gives a gift that has been unrighteously obtained to unvirtuous people,

anabhisaddahaü kammaphalaü uëàraü, na taü dànaü vipulapphalan-ti ³³ bråmi.
who do not have great faith in actions and their results, that gift will not bring an extensive reward I say.

Yo sãlavà sãlavantesu dadàti dànaü, dhammena laddhaü supasannacitto,
That virtuous person who, with a mind full of confidence, gives a gift that has been righteously obtained to virtuous people,

abhisaddahaü kammaphalaü uëàraü, taü ve dànaü vipulapphalan-ti bråmi.
who has great faith in actions and their results, that gift will bring an extensive reward I say.

Yo vãtaràgo vãtaràgesu dadàti dànaü, dhammena laddhaü supasannacitto,
That passionless person who, with a mind full of confidence, gives a gift that has been righteously obtained to passionless people,

abhisaddahaü kammaphalaü uëàraü, taü ve dànaü àmisadànànam-agganû-ti.
who has great faith in actions and their results, that gift is the highest of worldly gifts.û

Dakkhiõàvibhaïgasuttaü Niññhitaü
The Discourse giving the Analysis of Offerings is Finished

last updated: January 2008