Kindada Sutta

( A Giver of What?)

[Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.]

A deva asks:

A giver of what is a giver of strength?
A giver of what, a giver of beauty?
A giver of what, a giver of ease?
A giver of what, a giver of vision?
And who is a giver of everything?
     Being asked, please explain this to me.

The Buddha answers:

A giver of food is a giver of strength.
A giver of clothes, a giver of beauty.
A giver of a vehicle, a giver of ease
A giver of a lamp, a giver of vision.
And the one who gives a residence, is the one who is a giver of everything.
    But the one who teaches the Dhamma is a giver of the Deathless.