Next, someone has practiced to an extraordinary degree giving and ethical conduct as grounds for making merit, but they haven’t got as far as meditation as a ground for making merit. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others. There, the godling Vasavattī has practiced giving and ethical conduct as grounds for making merit to a greater degree than the other gods. So he surpasses them in ten respects: heavenly lifespan, beauty, happiness, glory, sovereignty, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

These are the three grounds for making merit.”

Numbered Discourses 8.37 4. Giving Gifts of a True Person

“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.”

Numbered Discourses 8.38 4. Giving A True Person