[280] Truly, this was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant; so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, I am a brahmin (brāhmaṇa), responsive to requests (yācayoga), my hands always washed, bearing my final body, the unsurpassed physician and surgeon (sallakatta). You are the sons of such a one as I: born of my breast (orasa), born of my mouth, born of the Dhamma, created by the Dhamma, heirs of the Dhamma, not heirs of material things (āmisa). Bhikkhus, there are these two gifts (dāna): the material gift (āmisadāna) and the gift of the Dhamma (dhammadāna). Of these two gifts, bhikkhus, this is the foremost, namely, the gift of the Dhamma. Bhikkhus, there are these two ways of sharing (saṃvibhāga): the sharing of material things (āmisasaṃvibhāga) and the sharing of the Dhamma (dhammasaṃvibhāga). Of these two ways of sharing, bhikkhus, this is the foremost, namely, the sharing of the Dhamma. Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of assistance (anuggaha): assistance with material things (āmisānuggaha) and assistance with the Dhamma (dhammānuggaha). Of these two kinds of assistance, bhikkhus, this is the foremost, namely, assistance with the Dhamma. Bhikkhus, there are these two sacrifices (yāga): the sacrifice of material things (āmisayāga) and the sacrifice of the Dhamma (dhammayāga). Of these two sacrifices, bhikkhus, this is the foremost, namely, the sacrifice of the Dhamma."
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In that connection this is said:
He who, free from stinginess, has offered the sacrifice of the Dhamma —
the Tathāgata, compassionate towards all beings —
to him, such a one, the best of devas and humans,
gone to the far shore of existence, beings pay homage.
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard.
The First [Sutta].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.