[253] 6. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant — so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, these three persons are found existing in the world. Which three? One who is like a rainless cloud (avuṭṭhikasama), one who rains in a certain region (padesavassī), and one who rains everywhere (sabbatthābhivassī).
1. "And how, bhikkhus, is a person like a rainless cloud? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is not a giver to anyone at all: he gives no food, drink, clothing, vehicles, garlands and scents, unguents, beds and lodging, or lamps to ascetics and brahmins, to the destitute, to wayfarers, vagrants, and beggars. It is thus, bhikkhus, that a person is like a rainless cloud.
2. "And how, bhikkhus, is a person one who rains in a certain region? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person is a giver to some and not a giver to others among ascetics and brahmins, the destitute, wayfarers, vagrants, and beggars — of food, drink, clothing, vehicles, garlands and scents, unguents, beds and lodging, and lamps. It is thus, bhikkhus, that a person is one who rains in a certain region.
3. "And how, bhikkhus, is a person one who rains everywhere? Here, bhikkhus, a certain person gives to all: he gives food, drink, clothing, vehicles, garlands and scents, unguents, beds and lodging, and lamps to ascetics and brahmins, to the destitute, to wayfarers, vagrants, and beggars. It is thus, bhikkhus, that a person is one who rains everywhere.
"These, bhikkhus, are the three persons found existing in the world."
This matter the Blessed One spoke. In that connection, this is said:
"Not with ascetics, not with brahmins,
not with the destitute and wayfarers, not with vagrants,
does he share what he has gained —
food and drink and provisions:
him indeed they call 'one like a rainless cloud,'
that vilest of men.
"To some he does not give,
on some he bestows;
him indeed the wise declare
'one who rains in a certain region.'
"A man whose word is 'There is plenty,'
compassionate toward all beings,
rejoicing, he scatters his gifts about,
saying, 'Give! Give!'
"Just as a rain-cloud, having thundered
and rumbled, pours down,
filling the high land and the low,
and drenching them with water —
"even so is a certain person here
one of such a kind:
having righteously gathered wealth
won by his own exertion,
he satisfies with food and drink
the vagrants who have duly come."
This matter, too, was spoken by the Blessed One — so I have heard.
The Sixth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.