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an.8.35 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Rebirth on Account of Giving

“Bhikkhus, there are these eight kinds of rebirth on account of giving. What eight?

(1) “Here, someone gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food and drink; clothing and vehicles; garlands, scents, and unguents; bedding, dwellings, and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He sees affluent khattiyas, affluent brahmins, or affluent householders enjoying themselves furnished and endowed with the five objects of sensual pleasure. It occurs to him: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in companionship with affluent khattiyas, affluent brahmins, or affluent householders!’ He sets his mind on this, fixes his mind on this, and develops this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not developed higher, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in companionship with affluent khattiyas, affluent brahmins, or affluent householders—and that is for one who is virtuous, I say, not for one who is immoral. The heart’s wish of one who is virtuous succeeds because of his purity.

(2) “Someone else gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food and drink … and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The devas ruled by the four great kings are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in companionship with the devas ruled by the four great kings!’ He sets his mind on this, fixes his mind on this, and develops this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not developed higher, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in companionship with the devas ruled by the four great kings—and that is for one who is virtuous, I say, not for one who is immoral. The heart’s wish of one who is virtuous succeeds because of his purity.

(3)–(7) “Someone else gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food and drink … and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The Tāvatiṁsa devas … the Yāma devas … the Tusita devas … the devas who delight in creation … the devas who control what is created by others are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in companionship with the devas who control what is created by others!’ He sets his mind on this, fixes his mind on this, and develops this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not developed higher, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in companionship with the devas who control what is created by others—and that is for one who is virtuous, I say, not for one who is immoral. The heart’s wish of one who is virtuous succeeds because of his purity.

(8) “Someone else gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food and drink … and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The devas of Brahmā’s company are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in companionship with the devas of Brahmā’s company!’ He sets his mind on this, fixes his mind on this, and develops this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not developed higher, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in companionship with the devas of Brahmā’s company—and that is for one who is virtuous, I say, not for one who is immoral; for one without lust, not for one with lust. The heart’s wish of one who is virtuous succeeds because of his purity.

“These, bhikkhus, are the eight kinds of rebirth on account of giving.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

Rebirth by Giving

“Mendicants, there are these eight rebirths by giving.
What eight?
First, someone gives to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.
Whatever they give, they expect something back.
They see a well-to-do aristocrat or brahmin or householder amusing themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
It occurs to them:
‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders!’
They settle on that idea, concentrate on it and develop it.
As they’ve settled for less and not developed further, their idea leads to rebirth there.
When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders.
But I say that this is only for those of ethical conduct, not for the unethical.
The heart’s wish of an ethical person succeeds because of their purity.
Next, someone gives to ascetics or brahmins …
Whatever they give, they expect something back.
And they’ve heard:
‘The Gods of the Four Great Kings are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’
It occurs to them:
‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Gods of the Four Great Kings!’ …


When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the Gods of the Four Great Kings.
But I say that this is only for those of ethical conduct, not for the unethical.
The heart’s wish of an ethical person succeeds because of their purity.
Next, someone gives to ascetics or brahmins …
Whatever they give, they expect something back.
And they’ve heard:
‘The Gods of the Thirty-Three …’
‘The Gods of Yama …’
‘The Joyful Gods …’
‘The Gods Who Love to Create …’
‘The Gods Who Control the Creations of Others are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’
It occurs to them:
‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Gods Who Control the Creations of Others!’
They settle on that idea, concentrate on it and develop it.
As they’ve settled for less and not developed further, their idea leads to rebirth there.
When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the Gods Who Control the Creations of Others.
But I say that this is only for those of ethical conduct, not for the unethical.
The heart’s wish of an ethical person succeeds because of their purity.
Next, someone gives to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.
Whatever they give, they expect something back.
And they’ve heard:
‘The Gods of Brahmā’s Host are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’
It occurs to them:
‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Gods of Brahmā’s Host!’
They settle on that idea, concentrate on it and develop it.
As they’ve settled for less and not developed further, their idea leads to rebirth there.
When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the Gods of Brahmā’s Host.
But I say that this is only for those of ethical conduct, not for the unethical.
And for those free of desire, not those with desire.
The heart’s wish of an ethical person succeeds because of their freedom from desire.
These are the eight rebirths by giving.”