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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

Gifts of a True Person

AN 8.37 · Sappurisadānasutta

A single dew drop hangs beneath a slender blade of grass.

“Mendicants, there are these eight gifts of a true person. What eight? Their gift is pure, good quality, timely, appropriate, intelligent, and regular. While giving their heart is confident, and afterwards they’re uplifted. These are the eight gifts of a true person.

He gives pure, good quality, and timely gifts of appropriate food and drinks regularly to spiritual practitioners who are fertile fields of merit.

They never regret giving away many things of the flesh. Discerning people praise giving such gifts.

An intelligent person sacrifices like this, faithful, with a mind of letting go. Such an astute person is reborn in a happy, pleasing 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.