Chapter Three

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, these three individuals are found in the world.

What three?

One like a rainless cloud, one who rains locally, one who rains all over.

And how is an individual like a rainless cloud?

It’s when an individual doesn’t give to anyone at all—whether ascetics and brahmins, paupers, vagrants, supplicants, or beggars—such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.

That’s how an individual is like a rainless cloud.

And how does an individual rain locally?

It’s when an individual gives to some but not to others—whether ascetics and brahmins, paupers, vagrants, supplicants, or beggars—such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.

That’s how an individual rains locally.

And how does an individual rain all over?

It’s when an individual gives to everyone—whether ascetics and brahmins, paupers, vagrants, supplicants, or beggars—such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.

That’s how an individual rains all over.

These are the three individuals found in the world.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“They don’t share the food and drink

they have acquired

with ascetics or brahmins,

with paupers, vagrants, or supplicants.

They’re like a rainless cloud,

they say, the meanest of men.

They don’t give to some,

to some they provide.

They rain locally,

so say the wise.

Compassionate for all beings,

that person distributes

abundant food upon request,

saying, “Give! Give!”

The rain cloud rains forth,

having thundered and roared,

drenching the earth with water,

soaking the uplands and valleys.

Even so, such an individual,

having accumulated wealth

by legitimate means,

through their own hard work,

rightly satisfies with food and drink

those who have become supplicants.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.