Overview
While ordinary giving (dāna) involves material objects, the Buddha redefined the “Great Sacrifices” by equating them with the Five Precepts. When a person observes the precepts flawlessly, they are granting the greatest possible gift to the entire world: the gift of safety.
The List
- Abstaining from killing: Gives the gift of fearlessness and safety from violence to immeasurable beings.
- Abstaining from stealing: Gives the gift of security and safety from loss to immeasurable beings.
- Abstaining from sexual misconduct: Gives the gift of safety from violation and familial destruction to immeasurable beings.
- Abstaining from false speech: Gives the gift of truth, trust, and safety from deception to immeasurable beings.
- Abstaining from intoxicants: Gives the gift of safety from the reckless, heedless behavior caused by drunkenness to immeasurable beings.
Textual References
- Canonical: Abhisanda Sutta (AN 8.39) – The Buddha declares that maintaining the five precepts is an original, long-standing, traditional “Great Gift” (mahādāna) that leads to heavenly rebirth.