Day ​96 : Cāga Sampadā (accomplishment in Giving and Giving Up) Dīghajāṇu Sutta (AN 8.54)– Study Notes from BMV Monday Sutta Study with Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

Katamā ca, byagghapajja, cāgasampadā? Idha, byagghapajja, kulaputto vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṃ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo, payatapāṇi, vossaggarato, yācayogo, dānasaṃvibhāgarato. Ayaṃ vuccati, byagghapajja, cāgasampadā.

katamā ca – and what is
byagghapajja – (addressing the layperson Byagghapajja)
cāgasampadā – the accomplishment in giving and giving up 
idha – here
kulaputto – a householder, son of a good family
vigata-mala-maccherena – with a mind free from the stain of stinginess
cetasā – in mind, with heart
agāraṃ ajjhāvasati – dwells in the household
muttacāgo – one who is liberated in giving up
payata-pāṇi – with an open hand (ready to give)
vossagga-rato – delighting in relinquishment, in letting go
yācayogo – responsive to requests, ready to be asked
dāna-saṃvibhāga-rato – delighting in giving, giving up and sharing gifts
ayaṃ vuccati – this is called
cāgasampadā – the accomplishment of giving and giving up

And what, Byagghapajja, is the accomplishment in giving/giving up? Here, Byagghapajja, a householder, lives at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, responsive to requests, rejoicing in the giving and distribution of gifts (sharing). This is called the accomplishment in giving/giving up.

Difference Between Dāna and Cāga

Dāna (Giving):

The outward act of generosity.
Measurable: food, money, time, service, shelter, compassion.
Primary role: supporting others’ welfare.

Cāga (Giving Up):

The inward purification through relinquishment.
Immeasurable: release of attachment (craving/clinging), pride, expectation, or self-interest.
Primary role: purifying one’s own mind.

Thus, dāna is what is given; cāga is what is released. Both must be united for generosity to be spiritually complete.


1. Giving with Expectations – Transactional Generosity

When people give expecting praise, blessings, or karmic return, the act becomes more of a transaction than true generosity. It generates some merit, but the mind remains bound by craving (taṇhā).

2. Giving without Expectations – Liberative Generosity

Giving simply for the joy of sharing, without needing recognition or return, aligns with cāga (inner letting go). Such acts purify the heart, leading to lasting contentment.

3. The Role of Intention (cetanā)

In Buddhism, the value of dāna is measured not by the size of the gift but by the quality of the mind giving it. A small gift given with pure intention can be greater than a large gift given for show.

4. Modern Dāna Culture – Social Pressure

In many Buddhist societies, temple fundraising or ceremonies can create pressure to give large donations. While supportive, such culture may unintentionally prioritize wealth over sincerity. The Dhamma reminds us: it is not about “how much always,” but “how mindfully.” There is no harm in donating a lot if one can afford it. However, the true spirit of dāna is not measured by the amount given. Even a small act of generosity carries equal value when done with the right intention.

5. Giving with Limited Means

Someone who has little can still practice dāna—by giving time, labor, skills, care, or even a smile. In the Sigālovāda Sutta (DN 31), the Buddha teaches four ways of treating others, known as the saṅgahavatthu (four treats)

Dāna (Generosity, Giving)
– Sharing material support, kindness, and resources with others.
– It creates trust and goodwill, easing envy and greed in relationships.

Peyyavajja (Kind Speech, Pleasant Words)
– Speaking gently, truthfully, and with respect.
– Good speech binds people together more strongly than wealth can.

Atthacariyā (Beneficial Conduct, Service)
– Acting in ways that are helpful, offering assistance in daily and moral needs.
– It shows genuine concern beyond words, through concrete actions.

Samānattatā (Impartiality, Equality, Treating Others as Oneself)
– Relating to others with fairness, empathy, and equality.
– This is the deep glue of solidarity: treating others the way we wish to be treated.

6. Subtle Expectations – Respect, Blessings, Recognition

Even when not seeking wealth in return, people may expect acknowledgment. Recognizing this subtle clinging is part of moving from dāna to cāga. However, if someone does not recognize your donation, there is no need to worry; acknowledging the donation is part of the recipient’s kusala responsibility.

7. Purification through Letting Go

The act of giving should ideally end with release: no craving/clinging to the object, no craving/clinging to the role of “giver.” This mental letting go is what transforms generosity into a path of purification (cāga).

8. Ideal Practice – Integrating Dāna and Cāga

Give according to one’s means, with an open hand, and without regret. More important than the amount is the attitude: generosity rooted in compassion (karuṇā) and joy in relinquishment (cāga).

Ideal Way to Practice Dāna and Cāga Together (per Dīghajāṇu Sutta)

An ideal practice combines the act of generosity (dāna) with the heart of relinquishment (cāga). According to the Sutta:

Give open-handedly (payatapāṇi).
Rejoice in letting go (vossaggarato).
Be responsive to requests (yācayogo).
Delight in giving/sharing (dānasaṃvibhāgarato).

👉 The true union is when the giver:

Freely offers (dāna) without craving (cāga).

This balance ensures that generosity benefits both others (through material support) and oneself (through purification of greed, stinginess, and ego).