Thus I have heard: One time, the Budha was staying at
Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
At that time, the Bhagavaan addressed the bhikshus, saying:
“There are two kinds of people who, even until the end of their lives, are never truly satisfied.
Who are these two?
One is the person who accumulates wealth and hoards it, never using it;
the other is the person who acquires wealth and takes joy in giving it away.
These two, O bhikshus, never experience contentment before their passing.”
At that time, a bhikshu addressed the Bhagavaan, saying:
“Bhagavaan, we do not fully understand the concise teaching you have given.
What does it mean to accumulate wealth and hoard it?
And what does it mean to acquire wealth and give it away?
We earnestly request the Bhagavaan to expound upon this teaching in detail.”
The Bhagavaan said:
“Listen attentively! Listen attentively!
Reflect deeply on this, and I shall explain the meaning to you in detail.”
The Bhagavaan said:
“There is a certain kulaputra (noble-born person) who learns various vidyaa (skills): some engage in farming, some in writing and correspondence, some in calculations, some study astronomy, some geography, some practice divination, some serve as messengers in distant lands, and some become royal ministers.
Regardless of extreme heat or cold, hunger or exhaustion, they strive diligently for their livelihood.
Through such efforts, they accumulate artha (wealth), yet they neither enjoy it themselves nor share it with their wife, servants, relatives, or kin.
Their hoarded wealth may be seized by the king, stolen by thieves, consumed by fire, or swept away by floods, scattered beyond their reach.
Ultimately, their possessions are dispersed among others in the household and do not remain with them.
This, O bhikshus, is called ‘accumulating wealth but never using it.'”
The Bhagavaan continued:
“And how does one distribute wealth wisely?
There is a certain kulaputra (noble-born person) who, like the previous one, learns various vidyaa (skills): some engage in farming, some in writing and correspondence, some in calculations, some study astronomy, some geography, some practice divination, some serve as messengers in distant lands, and some become royal ministers.
Regardless of extreme heat or cold, hunger or exhaustion, they strive diligently for their livelihood.
Through such efforts, they accumulate artha (wealth), but unlike the previous person, they practice daana (generosity). They share their wealth with parents, servants, wife, and kin.
Furthermore, they extend their generosity to shramana and braahmana, performing meritorious deeds and planting the seeds of svarga (heavenly) blessings.
This, O bhikshus, is called ‘gaining wealth and practicing generosity.’
Thus, these are the two kinds of people who never feel satisfied:
the one who hoards wealth and the one who shares it freely.
The first should be urged to abandon attachment, while the second should be encouraged to continue their noble practice.
Therefore, O bhikshus, train yourselves in this way!”
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.