The Buddha's Teaching on Virtuous Giving (AN 5.148-Sappurisadana Sutta)

The Buddha's Teaching on Virtuous Giving (AN 5.148-Sappurisadana Sutta)

By Bhante Sumitta

This discourse from the Aṅguttara Nikāya presents the Buddha's teaching on the five characteristics that define how a person of integrity (sappurisa) gives gifts, along with the karmic results of such virtuous generosity.

The Five Qualities of Virtuous Giving

The Buddha identifies five essential qualities that characterize the giving practices of a person of integrity:

1. Giving with Conviction (Saddhāya dānaṃ deti)

Offering gifts with genuine faith and confidence in the value and purpose of generosity, rooted in understanding of the Dhamma and the benefits of giving.

2. Giving Attentively (sakkaccaṃ dānaṃ deti)

Making offerings with careful attention, mindfulness, and respect—not carelessly or dismissively, but with full presence and consideration for the act of giving.

3. Giving in Season (kālena dānaṃ deti)

Offering gifts at the appropriate time when they are most needed and beneficial, demonstrating wisdom about timing and circumstances.

4. Giving with an Empathetic Heart (anaggahitacittena dānaṃ deti)

Making offerings with genuine care, compassion, and concern for the recipient's well-being, rather than from selfish motives.

5. Giving without Harm (attānaṃ ca paraṃ ca anupabhacca dānaṃ deti)

Ensuring that one's generosity doesn't cause suffering to oneself or others—giving within one's means and in ways that don't create problems or dependencies.

Karmic Results of Virtuous Giving

The Buddha explains that each quality of virtuous giving produces specific positive results when the karmic fruits ripen:

Results of Giving with Conviction

Material prosperity: wealth, possessions, abundance
Physical attractiveness: good build, handsomeness, inspiring presence, radiant complexion

Results of Giving Attentively

Material prosperity continues
Social influence: family members and associates listen carefully, pay attention, and serve with understanding

Results of Giving in Season

Material prosperity continues
Perfect timing: goals and aspirations are fulfilled at the right moments

Results of Giving with Empathy

Material prosperity continues
Sensual enjoyment: natural inclination toward and access to refined pleasures

Results of Giving without Harm

Material prosperity continues
Complete protection: security from natural disasters, political troubles, theft, and inheritance disputes

Key Dharmic Principles

Skillful Generosity: This teaching emphasizes that giving is not merely about the act itself, but about the quality of mind and intention behind it.

Karmic Understanding: The text illustrates the Buddhist principle that wholesome actions performed with proper intention naturally lead to beneficial results.

Balanced Approach: The teaching validates both material prosperity and sensual enjoyment as natural karmic results of virtuous giving, demonstrating Buddhism's non-ascetic approach for householders.

Holistic Benefits: The results encompass physical, social, material, and protective dimensions, showing how ethical conduct creates comprehensive well-being.

Significance for Buddhist Practice

This sutta provides practical guidance for lay practitioners on:

How to cultivate the proper mental qualities when giving
Understanding the relationship between ethical action and karmic results
Integrating generosity practice with overall spiritual development
Balancing material welfare with spiritual virtue

The teaching demonstrates that when generosity is practiced with wisdom, faith, mindfulness, compassion, and harmlessness, it becomes a powerful means for both spiritual development and worldly flourishing—embodying the Buddhist principle that ethical conduct naturally leads to happiness and prosperity.

Reference:
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.148.than.html