So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Then the student Māgha approached the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. Atha kho māgho māṇavo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. and said to the Buddha: Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“I’m a giver, worthy Gotama, a donor; I am bountiful and committed to charity. “Ahañhi, bho gotama, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; I seek wealth in a principled manner, dhammena bhoge pariyesāmi; and with that legitimate wealth I give to one person, to two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred people or even more. dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāmi dvinnampi tiṇṇampi catunnampi pañcannampi channampi sattannampi aṭṭhannampi navannampi dasannampi dadāmi, vīsāyapi tiṁsāyapi cattālīsāyapi paññāsāyapi dadāmi, satassapi dadāmi, bhiyyopi dadāmi. Giving and sacrificing like this, worthy Gotama, do I accrue much merit?” Kaccāhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavāmī”ti?

“Indeed you do, student. “Taggha tvaṁ, māṇava, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavasi. A giver or donor who is bountiful and committed to charity, Yo kho, māṇava, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; who seeks wealth in a principled manner, dhammena bhoge pariyesati; and with that legitimate wealth gives to one person, or up to a hundred people or even more, accrues much merit.” dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāti …pe… satassapi dadāti, bhiyyopi dadāti, bahuṁ so puññaṁ pasavatī”ti. Then Māgha addressed the Buddha in verse: Atha kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi—

“I ask the bountiful Gotama,” “Pucchāmahaṁ gotamaṁ vadaññuṁ, said Māgha, (iti māgho māṇavo) “wearing an ochre robe, wandering homeless. Kāsāyavāsiṁ agahaṁ carantaṁ; Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit. Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; Giving food and drink to others here, Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, how is their offering purifed?” Kathaṁ hutaṁ yajamānassa sujjhe”.

“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,” “Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, replied the Buddha, (māghāti bhagavā) “makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; giving food and drink to others here: Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, such a one would succeed due to those <j>who are worthy of donations.” Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi”.

“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,” “Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, said Māgha, (iti māgho māṇavo) “makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; giving food and drink to others here: Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, explain to me who is worthy of donations.” Akkhāhi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye”.

“Those who wander the world unattached, “Ye ve asattā vicaranti loke, consummate, self-controlled, owning nothing: Akiñcanā kevalino yatattā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those who have cut off all fetters and bonds, Ye sabbasaṁyojanabandhanacchidā, tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope: Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those who are released from all fetters, Ye sabbasaṁyojanavippamuttā, tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope: Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Having given up greed, hate, and delusion, Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ, with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed: Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those in whom dwells no deceit or conceit, Yesu na māyā vasati na māno, with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed: Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those rid of greed, unselfish, with no need for hope, Ye vītalobhā amamā nirāsā, with defilements ended, <j>the spiritual journey completed: Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those not fallen prey to cravings, Ye ve na taṇhāsu upātipannā, who, having crossed the flood, live unselfishly: Vitareyya oghaṁ amamā caranti; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely offering as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those with no craving at all in the world Yesaṁ taṇhā natthi kuhiñci loke, for any state of existence in this life or the next: Bhavābhavāya idha vā huraṁ vā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those who have left sensuality behind, <j>wandering homeless, Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti, self-controlled, straight as a shuttle: Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those freed of greed, with senses stilled, Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā, like the moon released from the eclipse: Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those assuaged ones free of greed and anger, Samitāvino vītarāgā akopā, for whom there are no destinies, <j>being rid of them in this life: Yesaṁ gatī natthidha vippahāya; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

They’ve given up rebirth and death completely, Jahitvā jātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ, and have gone beyond all indecision: Kathaṅkathiṁ sabbamupātivattā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those who live as their own island, Ye attadīpā vicaranti loke, everywhere free, owning nothing: Akiñcanā sabbadhi vippamuttā; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Those here who know this to be true: Ye hettha jānanti yathā tathā idaṁ, ‘This is my last life, there are no future lives’: Ayamantimā natthi punabbhavoti; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice. Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

A knowledge master, loving absorption, mindful, Yo vedagū jhānarato satīmā, who has reached awakening and is a refuge for many: Sambodhipatto saraṇaṁ bahūnaṁ; that is where a brahmin seeking merit Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche, should bestow a timely offering as sacrifice.” Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha”.

“Clearly my questions were not in vain!” “Addhā amoghā mama pucchanā ahu, said Māgha, (iti māgho māṇavo) “The Buddha has explained to me <j>who is worthy of donations. Akkhāsi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye; You are the one here who knows this to be true, Tvañhettha jānāsi yathā tathā idaṁ, for truly you understand this matter. Tathā hi te vidito esa dhammo.

Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho, makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit, Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho; giving food and drink to others here: Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ, explain to me how to accomplish the sacrifice.” Akkhāhi me bhagavā yaññasampadaṁ”.

“Sacrifice, and while doing so,” “Yajassu yajamāno, replied the Buddha, (māghāti bhagavā) “be clear and confident in every way. Sabbattha ca vippasādehi cittaṁ; Sacrifice is the ground standing upon which Ārammaṇaṁ yajamānassa yañño, the sacrificer sheds their flaws. Ettha patiṭṭhāya jahāti dosaṁ.

One free of greed, rid of anger, So vītarāgo pavineyya dosaṁ, developing a heart of limitless love, Mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvayamappamāṇaṁ; spreads that limitlessness in every direction, Rattindivaṁ satatamappamatto, ever diligent day and night.” Sabbā disā pharati appamaññaṁ”.

“Who is purified, freed, awake? “Ko sujjhati muccati bajjhatī ca, How can one go to the realm of divinity oneself? Kenattanā gacchati brahmalokaṁ; I do not know, so please tell me when asked, Ajānato me muni brūhi puṭṭho, for the Buddha is the divinity I see in person today! Bhagavā hi me sakkhi brahmajjadiṭṭho; To us you are truly the equal of divinity. Tuvañhi no brahmasamosi saccaṁ, Brilliant One, how is one reborn in the realm of divinity?” Kathaṁ upapajjati brahmalokaṁ jutima”.

“One who accomplishes the sacrifice <j>with three modes,” “Yo yajati tividhaṁ yaññasampadaṁ, replied the Buddha, (māghāti bhagavā) “such a one would succeed <j>due to those who are worthy of donations. Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi; Sacrificing like this, one rightly committed to charity Evaṁ yajitvā sammā yācayogo, is reborn in the realm of divinity, I say.” Upapajjati brahmalokanti brūmī”ti.

When he had spoken, the student Māgha said to the Buddha, Evaṁ vutte, māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe… From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

Māghasuttaṁ pañcamaṁ.