Thus have I heard:
One time, Budha was staying on Mount Gridhrakuta in Raajagriha, accompanied by five hundred great Bhikshus.
At that time, Shakra, the lord of devas, after the day had passed and evening approached, went to Bhagavaan. He bowed at Bhagavaan’s feet and sat to one side. Then Shakra, the lord of devas, asked Bhagavaan a question in verse:
“You who can proclaim and teach,
Who have crossed the stream and become free from defilements,
Who have crossed the deep ocean of birth and death—
I now ask you, Gautama, about this meaning.
I observe the beings of this world,
Who perform meritorious deeds of various kinds.
To whom should one give to attain the highest merit?
O Honored One on Vulture Peak,
Please explain this meaning to me,
So that I may understand your intention,
And so that donors may also hear.
Those who have not attained the four fruits,
But who have fulfilled the four stages of the path—
Those who follow the path of learning,
Should revere and practice their teachings.
Free from desire and anger,
With ignorance eradicated and defilements exhausted—
They have crossed all depths,
And giving to them yields great fruit.
Among all these beings,
Who perform meritorious deeds of various kinds,
Giving to the Sangha brings the most merit.
This Sangha is immeasurable,
Like the ocean that produces precious jewels.
The noble Sangha is like this,
Expounding the luminous Dharma of wisdom.
Gautama, those who give to the Sangha,
To this excellent field of merit,
Will attain immeasurable blessings—
This is the supreme teaching.”
At that time, Shakra, the lord of devas, having heard Bhagavaan’s words, bowed at his feet and departed. Shakra, the lord of devas, followed it with joy.