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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

Timely Gifts

AN 5.36 · Kāladānasutta

Flat stepping stones cross a clear stream toward a grassy bank.

“Mendicants, there are these five timely gifts. What five? A gift to a visitor. A gift to someone setting out on a journey. A gift to someone who is sick. A gift at a time of famine. Presenting the freshly harvested grains and fruits first to those who are ethical. These are the five timely gifts.

The wise give at the right time, being bountiful and rid of stinginess. A religious donation at the right time to the noble ones, upright and unaffected,

given with a clear and confident mind, is indeed abundant. Those who rejoice at that, or do other services, don’t miss out on the offering; they too have a share in the merit.

So you should give without holding back, where a gift is very fruitful. The good deeds of sentient beings support them in the next world.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.