[1142] P. Should it not be said that giving (dāna) is a mental state (cetasiko dhammo)?
S. Yes.
P. But was it not said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, there are these five gifts, great gifts, known as primal, known as of long standing, known as traditional, ancient, unadulterated, never before adulterated; they are not adulterated and will not be adulterated; they are not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins. Which five? Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple (ariyasāvaka), having abandoned the destruction of life, abstains from the destruction of life. Abstaining from the destruction of life, bhikkhus, the noble disciple gives freedom from fear to immeasurable beings, gives freedom from enmity, gives freedom from affliction. Having given freedom from fear, freedom from enmity, and freedom from affliction to immeasurable beings, he is a partaker of immeasurable freedom from fear, freedom from enmity, and freedom from affliction. This, bhikkhus, is the first gift, a great gift, known as primal, known as of long standing, known as traditional, ancient, unadulterated, never before adulterated; it is not adulterated and will not be adulterated; it is not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins. Furthermore, bhikkhus, a noble disciple, having abandoned taking what is not given … having abandoned sexual misconduct … having abandoned false speech … having abandoned liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness, abstains from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness. Abstaining from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness, bhikkhus, the noble disciple gives freedom from fear to immeasurable beings, gives freedom from enmity, gives freedom from affliction. Having given freedom from fear, freedom from enmity, and freedom from affliction to immeasurable beings, he is a partaker of immeasurable freedom from fear, freedom from enmity, and freedom from affliction. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth gift, a great gift, known as primal, known as of long standing, known as traditional, ancient, unadulterated, never before adulterated; it is not adulterated and will not be adulterated; it is not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins. These, bhikkhus, are the five gifts, great gifts, known as primal, known as of long standing, known as traditional, ancient, unadulterated, never before adulterated; they are not adulterated and will not be adulterated; they are not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins"?¹ Is there indeed such a discourse (suttanta)?
S. Yes.
P. In that case, giving is a mental state.
¹ [Siamese edition footnote:] Aṅguttaranikāya, Aṭṭhakanipāta, 93 [= AN 8.39].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.