The Dhana Sutta
On the Five Kinds of Treasure (Pañca Dhanāni)
[47] “Bhikkhus (bhikkhu), there are these five kinds of treasure (pañca dhānāni). What are the five? The treasure of faith (saddhā), the treasure of virtue (sīla), the treasure of learning (suta), the treasure of generosity (cāga), and the treasure of wisdom (paññā).
1. The Treasure of Faith (saddhā)
“And what, bhikkhus, is the treasure of faith? A noble disciple (ariyasāvaka) in this Dhamma and Discipline has confidence in the Enlightenment of the Tathāgata (tathāgata), thinking: ‘Indeed, the Blessed One … is the Fully Enlightened One, the one who opens the Dhamma.’ This is called the treasure of faith (saddhā-dhana).
2. The Treasure of Virtue (sīla)
“And what is the treasure of virtue? A noble disciple in this Dhamma and Discipline abstains from the taking of life … and abstains from liquor and intoxicants, the causes of heedlessness. This is called the treasure of virtue (sīla-dhana).
3. The Treasure of Learning (suta)
“And what is the treasure of learning? A noble disciple in this Dhamma and Discipline is learned, remembers and retains what is heard, and penetrates it well with right view. This is called the treasure of learning (suta-dhana).
4. The Treasure of Generosity (cāga)
“And what is the treasure of generosity? A noble disciple in this Dhamma and Discipline has a mind free from the stain of stinginess, dwells at home with a mind of giving released, with open and gentle hands, rejoices in giving, is ready to be asked, and delights in giving and sharing. This is called the treasure of generosity (cāga-dhana).
5. The Treasure of Wisdom (paññā)
“And what is the treasure of wisdom? A noble disciple in this Dhamma and Discipline has wisdom, is endowed with insight into arising and passing away, noble, penetrating, leading to the complete destruction of suffering. This is called the treasure of wisdom (paññā-dhana).
“Bhikkhus, these are the five treasures.”
Verse
One who has faith (saddhā) in the Tathāgata, unwavering and firm; who has virtue (sīla) that is lovely and praised by the noble ones; who has confidence in the Saṅgha and holds right view (sammā-diṭṭhi) —
The wise declare such a one not poor, not lacking in riches.
His life is not lived in vain.
Therefore, the wise— remembering the teachings of the Buddhas— should develop faith (saddhā), virtue (sīla), serene confidence (pasāda), and vision of the Dhamma (dhamma-dassana) again and again.
Short Pāli Glossary (concise, intensive)
- Saddhā — faith, confidence in the Buddha’s awakening.
- Sīla — virtue; moral discipline.
- Suta — learning; knowledge grounded in hearing and study.
- Cāga — generosity; relinquishment; open-hearted giving.
- Paññā — wisdom; insight into arising-and-passing-away.
- Ariyasāvaka — noble disciple; follower progressing on the noble path.
- Tathāgata — epithet of the Buddha; “the Thus-Gone/Thus-Come.”
- Saṅgha — the community of noble disciples.
- Sammā-diṭṭhi — right view; correct understanding of the Dhamma.
- Pasāda — serene confidence; purified clarity of heart.
- Dhamma-dassana — seeing the Dhamma, direct vision of truth.