[361] 5. Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on Mount Gijjhakūṭa. Then the brahmin student Māgha (māṇava) approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the cordial and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the brahmin student Māgha said this to the Blessed One: "Master Gotama, I am a giver (dāyaka), a master of giving (dānapati), responsive to entreaty (vadaññū), open to those who ask (yācayoga). I seek wealth righteously (dhammena); and having sought wealth righteously, with wealth righteously gained, righteously acquired, I give to one, I give to two, I give to three, I give to four, I give to five, I give to six, I give to seven, I give to eight, I give to nine, I give to ten; I give to twenty, I give to thirty, I give to forty, I give to fifty; I give to a hundred, and I give to still more. Giving thus, sacrificing thus, Master Gotama, do I generate much merit (puñña)?"
"Assuredly, student, giving thus, sacrificing thus, you generate much merit. Whoever, student, is a giver, a master of giving, responsive to entreaty, open to those who ask, who seeks wealth righteously and, having sought wealth righteously, with wealth righteously gained, righteously acquired, gives to one … gives to a hundred, and gives to still more — he generates much merit."
Then the brahmin student Māgha addressed the Blessed One in a verse:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.