Itivuttaka — Assim Foi Dito — 98 — Giving

1This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

2“There are, mendicants, these two gifts. A gift of things of the flesh and a gift of the teaching. The better of these two gifts is the gift of the teaching.

3There are these two kinds of sharing. Sharing things of the flesh and sharing the teaching. The better of these two kinds of sharing is sharing the teaching.

4There are these two kinds of support. Support in things of the flesh and support in the teaching. The better of these two kinds of support is support in the teaching.”

5The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

6“It is said to be the supreme, ultimate gift,
and the sharing praised by the Buddha;
what wise and sensible person, <j>confident in the best of fields,
would not sow a such timely gift?

7For those who are diligent <j>in the dispensation of the Holy One,
both those who speak and those who listen,
confident in the dispensation of the Holy One,
such a gift purifies the highest goal.”

8This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.