[34] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Then Sīha the general approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Sīha the general said to the Blessed One: "Is it possible, venerable sir, to point out a fruit of giving that is visible here and now (sandiṭṭhika)?"
"It is possible, Sīha," said the Blessed One. "Sīha, a giver, a master of giving (dāyaka dānapati), is dear and agreeable to many people. In that, Sīha, a giver, a master of giving, is dear and agreeable to many people — this too is a fruit of giving visible here and now.
"Further, Sīha, good and true persons, the peaceful, resort to a giver, a master of giving. In that, Sīha, good and true persons, the peaceful, resort to a giver, a master of giving — this too is a fruit of giving visible here and now.
"Further, Sīha, a fine report of fame concerning a giver, a master of giving, spreads abroad. In that, Sīha, a fine report of fame concerning a giver, a master of giving, spreads abroad — this too is a fruit of giving visible here and now.
"Further, Sīha, whatever assembly a giver, a master of giving, approaches — whether an assembly of khattiyas, an assembly of brahmins, an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics — he approaches it confident and unabashed. In that, Sīha, whatever assembly a giver, a master of giving, approaches — whether an assembly of khattiyas, an assembly of brahmins, an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics — he approaches it confident and unabashed — this too is a fruit of giving visible here and now.
"Further, Sīha, a giver, a master of giving, with the breaking up of the body, after death, is reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world. In that, Sīha, a giver, a master of giving, with the breaking up of the body, after death, is reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world — this is a fruit of giving pertaining to the life to come (samparāyika)."
When this was said, Sīha the general said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, as for these four fruits of giving visible here and now declared by the Blessed One, I do not go by faith in the Blessed One regarding them; I know them myself as well. I, venerable sir, am a giver, a master of giving, dear and agreeable to many people. I, venerable sir, am a giver, a master of giving, and good and true persons, the peaceful, resort to me. I, venerable sir, am a giver, a master of giving, and a fine report of my fame has spread abroad: 'Sīha the general is a giver, a doer, an attendant of the Saṅgha.' I, venerable sir, am a giver, a master of giving, and whatever assembly I approach — whether an assembly of khattiyas, an assembly of brahmins, an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics — I approach it confident and unabashed. Venerable sir, as for these four fruits of giving visible here and now declared by the Blessed One, I do not go by faith in the Blessed One regarding them; I know them myself as well. But as for what the Blessed One has said to me thus: 'Sīha, a giver, a master of giving, with the breaking up of the body, after death, is reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world' — this I do not know; and here I go by faith in the Blessed One."
"So it is, Sīha! So it is, Sīha! A giver, a master of giving, with the breaking up of the body, after death, is reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world."
Giving, one becomes dear; many resort to him;
he attains renown, and his fame increases;
unabashed, he enters the assembly;
the man free of stinginess is confident.
Therefore indeed the wise give gifts,
having removed the stain of stinginess, seeking happiness.
Long established in the threefold heaven (tidiva),
gone to companionship with the devas, they delight.
Having made their opportunity, having done what is wholesome, passed away from here,
self-luminous, they wander about in Nandana;
there they rejoice, delight, and are glad,
furnished with the five kinds of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa).
Having carried out the word of the unattached one, the such-like one,
all the disciples of the Well-Gone One proceed [thither].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.