The miserly don’t ascend to heaven,

it takes a fool to not praise giving.

The attentive celebrate giving,

and so find happiness in the hereafter.

The fruit of stream-entry is better

than being the one king of the earth,

than going to heaven,

than lordship over all the world.

Minor Collection Sayings of the Dhamma 179–196 14. The Buddhas

He whose victory may not be undone,

a victory unrivaled in all the world;

by what track would you trace that Buddha,

who leaves no track in his infinite range?

Of craving, the weaver, the clinger, he has none:

so where can he be traced?

By what track would you trace that Buddha,

who leaves no track in his infinite range?

The attentive intent on absorption,

who love the peace of renunciation,

the Buddhas, ever mindful,

are envied by even the gods.

It’s hard to gain a human birth;

the life of mortals is hard;

it’s hard to hear the true teaching;

the arising of Buddhas is hard.