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 words "giving with discernment" in this saying mean giving with wisdom, that is, knowing how to consider before giving to whom one should give, what one should give and when one should give, not giving indiscriminately or on impulse without thinking. The Buddha, who has gone well, and who is called "the Well-Gone One" (Sugata), praised giving accompanied by such consideration, because it makes the gift greatly beneficial both to the giver and to the receiver.

ขยายความบทตั้งGiving with discernment is like a farmer who chooses to sow his seeds in a good field. Where the soil is good and there is enough water, the seeds grow well and yield much fruit. If they are sown on rock or on dry, barren soil, the seeds are wasted. Giving is the same: if one gives to those who have virtue and Dhamma, to those who will use it in a good way, or to those who are truly in need, the gift bears great fruit. But if one gives to those who will use it in ways that lead to decline, such as giving money to someone who will use it to buy alcohol or to gamble, that giving turns into promoting evil without one realising it.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑The wise one knows that bringing happiness to others through giving, helping, and not harming them is a cause for obtaining happiness oneself in return. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Aṅguttara Nikāya, Pañcakanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The word "wise one" means one who has wisdom and knows what is beneficial and what is not beneficial. "One who gives happiness" means one who makes others happy, whether by giving things, by helping, or by not harming them. This saying teaches that a person of wisdom who gives happiness to others receives happiness in return, in accordance with the principle that whatever cause one makes, one receives a corresponding result.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The reason the words "the wise one who gives" are used is that giving true happiness requires wisdom. The giver must know that the happiness he gives is wholesome happiness, not happiness that leads to decline. For example, inviting friends to go out carousing and loitering, even though the friends enjoy it, is not a right way of giving happiness. Giving happiness with wisdom means making others feel at ease, safe and able to prosper. When one gives in this way, the giver receives happiness at the very moment of giving, namely contentment, and receives happiness later on, namely the love, respect and help of others.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, one who wishes to help disaster victims should consider what the victims lack, and then give what meets their needs. Parents who give money to their children should also consider whether the children will use it in beneficial ways. A student who is going to help a friend with homework should help by explaining so that the friend understands, rather than letting him copy the answers, because letting him copy looks like giving, but in fact deprives the friend of the opportunity to learn. These are examples of giving with discernment through wisdom.

สรุปTo conclude: Excellent giving must therefore combine both a mind of self-sacrifice and the wisdom to consider carefully. One who gives with wisdom is not deceived, the wealth he gives up is not wasted, and the good he does is of full benefit. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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