Kimdada Sutta
Discourse on what to give
Aditta Vagga, Devata Samyutta
Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

Kimdada Sutta
Discourse on what to give

      42. (The deva said)

      "By giving what, does one make a gift of strength? By giving what, does one make a gift of attractive appearance? By giving what, does one make a gift of well-being? By giving what, does one make a gift of sight? By giving what, does one make a gift of everything? May you, who have been asked thus, give me answers to these questions"

      (The Bhagava said )

      "By giving food one makes a gift of strenght. By giving raiment one makes a gift of attractive appearance. By providing means of travel or move ment¹ one makes a gift of well-being. By providing a lamp, one makes a gift of sight. By providing a dwelling place one makes a gift of every thing?² By teaching the Dhamma one mades a gift of the Deathless (Nibbana)?³

End of the Kimdada Sutta,

the second in this vagga

      1. This expression includes anything that makes travel or movement possible, convenient or comfortable, such as, a horse, an elephant, a vehicle, a boat, footwear, an umbrella, etc.

      2. 'Everything' here means all the aforesaid blessings such as strength.

      3. Here the term 'teaches' is deemed to include all forms of imparting knowledge, scriptural or practical about the Buddha's Teaching. "The gift of the Dhamnia excels all gifts,' the Buddha says. This is because the knowledge that is imparted can lead to enlightenment, which amounts to cessation of rebirth or attainment of Nibbana, the Deathless (amata). Even listening to the Dhamma, actively participating in the exchange of knowledge, amounts to teaching the Dhamma.