The Buddha teaches on stinginess, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.69 Stinginess

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, macchariyāni. Katamāni pañca? Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, dhammamacchariyaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca macchariyāni.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ macchariyānaṁ pahānāya …pe… ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, macchariyāni.

“Mendicants, there are these five kinds of stinginess.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, dhammamacchariyaṁ

Stinginess with dwellings, families, material things, praise, and the teaching.

imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca macchariyāni.

These are the five kinds of stinginess.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ macchariyānaṁ pahānāya …pe… ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

To give up these five kinds of stinginess you should develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. …”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026