Stingy (SN1.49)

Linked Discourses 1.49

5. On Fire

Stingy

“Those folk in the world who are stingy,

miserly and abusive,

setting up obstacles

for others who give.

What kind of result do they reap?

What kind of future life?

We’ve come to ask the worthy sir:

how are we to understand this?”

“Those folk in the world who are stingy,

miserly and abusive,

setting up obstacles

for others who give:

they’re reborn in hell,

the animal realm, or Yama’s world.¹

If they return to the human state,

they’re born in a poor family,

where clothes, food, pleasure, and play

are hard to find.

They don’t even get

what they hope for from others.

This is the result in the present life,

and in the next, a bad destination.”

“We understand what you’re saying,²

and ask another question, Gotama.

What about those who’ve gained the human state,

who are bountiful and rid of stinginess,

confident in the Buddha and the teaching,

with keen respect for the Saṅgha?

What kind of result do they reap?

What kind of future life?

We’ve come to ask the worthy sir:

how are we to understand this?”

“Those who’ve gained the human state

who are bountiful and rid of stinginess,

confident in the Buddha and the teaching,

with keen respect for the Saṅgha:

they illuminate the heavens³

wherever they’re reborn.

If they return to the human state,

they’re reborn in a rich family,

where clothes, food, pleasure, and play

are easy to find.

They rejoice like those

who control the possessions of others.

This is the result in the present life,

and in the next, a good destination.”