Five Benefits of Giving

Monks, there are these five benefits of giving.

What five?

(1) One is dear and agreeable to many people.

(2) Wholesome persons go in large numbers to one (you).

(3) One acquires a wholesome reputation.

(4) One is not deficient in the Householder’s duties.

(5) With the breakup of the body, after death, one is reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world.

These are the five benefits of giving.

By giving, one becomes dear, one follows the duty of the wholesome; the wholesome mentally disciplined Monks always go in large numbers to one (you).

They teach one The Teachings that dispels all discontentedness, having understood which the taintless one here attains Nibbāna (Enlightenment).

(Reference: AN 5.35)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares some of the benefits of practicing generosity.

1.) One is well liked by many people as they are seen as generous and helpful to those around them.

2.) One will attract large numbers of wholesome people who will be interested to spend time with them.

3.) One develops a wholesome reputation within their community for their generous ways.

4.) One is able to fulfill their duties as part of living the Household life.

5.) The donor will experience an improved rebirth, should they need to experience rebirth. Due to the decrease in craving/desire/attachment in the mind, the being will experience an improved rebirth should rebirth be needed.

By giving, one becomes dear, one follows the duty of the wholesome; the wholesome mentally disciplined Monks always go in large numbers to one (you): Ordained Practitioners and Teachers of these Teachings can be supported through your generous offerings to support their sharing of these Teachings into the world.

They teach one The Teachings that dispels all discontentedness, having understood which the taintless one here attains Nibbāna (Enlightenment): You will have the opportunity to gain exposure to various Teachers who share these Teachings. The Teachings will benefit your life through you developing your life practice of these Teachings to completely eliminate all discontentedness. With the wisdom of these Teachings, a Practitioner can actively train the mind to eliminate the fetters/taints/pollution of mind described in The Ten Fetters to experience “the taintless” liberation of mind, Enlightenment.