Gifts of a Wholesome Person

Monks, there are these five gifts of a wholesome person.

What five?

(1) He gives a gift out of confidence;

(2) he gives a gift respectfully;

(3) he gives a timely gift;

(4) he gives a gift unreservedly;

(5) he gives a gift without injuring himself or others.

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(1) Because he has given a gift out of confidence, wherever the result of that gift is produced, he becomes rich, with great wealth and property, and he is handsome, attractive, graceful, possessing supreme beauty of complexion.

(2) Because he has given a gift respectfully, wherever the result of that gift is produced, he becomes rich, with great wealth and property, and his sons and wives, slaves, servants, and workers are obedient, lend an ear, and apply their minds to understand.

(3) Because he has given a timely gift, wherever the result of that gift is produced, he becomes rich, with great wealth and property, and timely benefits come to him in abundance.

(4) Because he has given a gift unreservedly, wherever the result of that gift is produced, he becomes rich, with great wealth and property, and his mind inclines to the enjoyment of the five kinds of fine sensual pleasures.

(5) Because he has given a gift without injuring himself or others, wherever the result of that gift is produced, he becomes rich, with great wealth and property, and no damage comes to his property from any source, whether from fire, floods, Kings, thieves, or displeasing heirs.

These are the five gifts of a wholesome person.

(Reference: AN 5.148)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the five gifts of a wholesome person.

The Buddha is sharing a basic understanding of the results of giving and sharing known as the practice of generosity.

There are Teachings he shares beyond these however, this is a starting point to understand generosity.

Practicing generosity is a highly important aspect of practice that one needs to develop to attain Enlightenment. Without a practice of generosity, one would retain selfishness being unable to give and share with others. This will allow craving/desire/attachment to stay well rooted in the mind.

The practice of Breathing Mindfulness Meditation and generosity are used to uproot the unwholesome root of craving/desire/attachment. Without a well developed practice of generosity, a Practitioner would be unable to uproot craving/desire/attachment or eliminate selfishness, therefore, they would be unable to attain Enlightenment.

In this Teaching, The Buddha is sharing five (5) aspects of generosity that one will need to practice while giving a gift. A gift will need to be given with confidence, respectfully, timely, unreservedly, and without injuring himself or others.

Detailed explanation of practicing generosity is available in this same book series found in the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).