SN 1.42 Giving What?

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Kiṁdado balado hoti,

“Giving what do you give strength?

kiṁdado hoti vaṇṇado;

Giving what do you give beauty?

Kiṁdado sukhado hoti,

Giving what do you give happiness?

kiṁdado hoti cakkhudo;

Giving what do you give vision?

Ko ca sabbadado hoti,

And who is the giver of all?

taṁ me akkhāhi pucchito”ti.

Please answer my question.”

“Annado balado hoti,

“Giving food you give strength.

vatthado hoti vaṇṇado;

Giving clothes you give beauty.

Yānado sukhado hoti,

Giving a vehicle you give happiness.

dīpado hoti cakkhudo.

Giving a lamp you give vision.

So ca sabbadado hoti,

And the giver of all

yo dadāti upassayaṁ;

is the one who gives monastic quarters.

Amataṁ dado ca so hoti,

But one who teaches the Dhamma

yo dhammamanusāsatī”ti.

gives the gift of freedom from death.”