“As a king intent on battle
would hire a youth
in whom there are
archery skills,
persistence,
& strength,
and not, on the basis of birth,
a coward;
so, too, you should honor
a person of noble conduct, wise,
in whom are established
composure
& patience,
even though
his birth may be lowly.
Let donors build
pleasant hermitages
and there invite the learned to stay.
Let them make reservoirs
in dry forests
and walking paths
where it’s rough.
Let them, with a clear, calm awareness,
give food, drink, snacks,
clothing, & lodgings
to those who’ve become
straightforward.
Just as a hundred-billowed,
lightning-garlanded,
thundering cloud,
raining down on the wealth-bearing [earth],
fills the highlands & low,
even so
a person of conviction & learning,
wise,
having stored up provisions,
satisfies wayfarers
with food & drink.
Delighting in distributing alms,
‘Give to them!
Give!’
he says.
That
is his thunder,
like a raining cloud’s.
That shower of merit,
abundant,
rains back on the one
who gives.”
Notes
1. The non-offense clauses to Nissaggīya Pācittiya 30 state that, when donors ask a monk where they should give an intended gift, he should say, “Give wherever your gift would be used, or would be well-cared for, or would last long, or wherever your mind feels confidence.” In other words, monks should not tell lay people where to give their donations.
Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN3_24.html