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

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying teaches that one should give what ought to be given. This statement has two levels of meaning. The first level is an encouragement: human beings should be givers and should not be stingy, because giving is the basic virtue of being a good person. The second level is a warning: what is given must be something that ought to be given, that is, something obtained honestly and beneficial to the receiver, not something that brings harm or decline.

ขยายความบทตั้งThings that ought to be given include things obtained honestly and things that help to relieve suffering, such as food, medicine, clothing and shelter, as well as knowledge, right advice and the Dhamma. Things that ought not to be given include things obtained by theft or fraud, things that are causes of heedlessness and decline, such as alcohol, drugs and weapons used to harm others, or giving that makes the receiver lazy and not self-reliant. Giving what ought not to be given, even if the giver has good intentions, may cause damage to the receiver and to society.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑The love of others cannot be demanded, but it arises from giving. One who is generous by habit is therefore beloved and wished well by the people around them. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Aṅguttara Nikāya, Pañcakanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: The words "one who gives" in this saying mean one who has self-sacrifice as a habit and is ready to share what he has for the benefit of others. The words "is loved" mean that he receives affection, kindness and goodwill from the people around him. This saying of the Buddha points to a law of nature: the love of others cannot be demanded or forced, but arises of its own accord towards one who gives.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The reason one who gives is loved is that all human beings wish for happiness and do not want suffering. Whoever makes them happy and helps them out of difficulty, they love that person. Conversely, those who only take, never give, and keep taking advantage of others, no matter how much wealth or power they have, may have people around them only because those people hope for some benefit. When the benefit runs out, those people leave. Love that arises from sincere giving is therefore more stable than love bought with power or benefits.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, one who wants to throw a celebration for friends should choose to treat them to good and wholesome food rather than to intoxicants. One who wants to help a relative who has lost his job should help him find work or give him capital to earn a living, rather than giving him money to spend from day to day until he makes no effort to support himself. Parents who love their children should give them good education and upbringing, which is worth more than indulging them by giving them everything they ask for.

สรุปTo conclude: Giving is therefore both a virtue and an art. It requires both a mind of self-sacrifice and the wisdom to know what ought to be given and what ought not to be given. One who gives rightly gains merit and truly helps others. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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