อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: The word "friendship" means being friends, affection and goodwill towards one another. This saying teaches that one who gives binds friendship, that is, giving is like a rope that binds people's hearts together and gives rise to good relationships. One who gives has friends, and those friends are ready to help him when he is in need.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe giving that binds friendship does not mean only giving wealth and material things. Giving good words, giving time, giving help with physical effort, giving forgiveness and giving encouragement are all forms of giving that bind people's hearts. The teaching called the four bases of social harmony (saṅgahavatthu) also places giving as the first item, which shows that giving is the heart of building friendship. Conversely, people who are stingy, never share, and think only of taking from others find it hard to find true friends, because there is nothing to bind people's hearts.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who knows how to give brings benefit and happiness to others, and so is beloved by all, and many people are glad to keep company with them. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Aṅguttara Nikāya, Pañcakanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying mentions two results of giving. First, one who gives is loved, that is, he is loved and liked by people in general. Second, many people associate with him, that is, people want to come close to him, want to associate with him and are glad to be with him. Both of these results arise because giving brings benefit and happiness to others. When people receive happiness from someone, they love that person and want to associate with him.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑In the sutta that is the source of this saying, the Buddha set out many benefits of giving, for example: one who gives is loved by many people, good people associate with him, his good reputation spreads, whatever assembly he enters he is confident and not ill at ease, and when he dies he goes to a happy destination. It can be seen that being loved and having many people associate with one are results seen in this very present life, without having to wait for the next life. And those who associate with one who gives are usually good people as well, because good people appreciate goodness in one another.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตAt school, a student who shares his knowledge and helps explain the lessons to classmates who cannot keep up is loved by his classmates. At work, one who helps his colleagues when they are overloaded with work receives cooperation in return when he himself needs it. In the village, neighbours who share the fruit from their gardens with one another, or help look after each other's houses when the owners are away, live together warmly. All these relationships begin with giving.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to have true friends and to live happily in society should therefore be the first to give, giving sincerely without expecting anything in return. When one gives constantly, friendship will grow naturally of its own accord. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.