Itivuttaka 26
Itivuttaka 26
This was said by the Lord....
"Bhikkhus, if beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would they allow the stain of meanness to obsess them and take root in their minds. Even if it were their last morsel, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared it, if there were someone to share it with. But, Bhikkhus, as beings do not know, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they eat without having given, and the stain of meanness obsesses them and takes root in their minds."
If beings only knew -
So said the great sage-
How the results of sharing
Is of such great fruit,
With a gladdened mind,
Rid of the stain of meaness,
They would duly give to noble ones
Who make what is given fruitful.
Having given much food as offerings
To those most worthy of offerings,
The donors go to heaven
On departing the human state.
Having gone to heaven they rejoice,
And enjoying pleasures there,
The unselfish experience the result
Of generously sharing with others.
