Each of those groups you listed or each individual in meditation, at
one particular instance, will use generosity according to their
level of wisdom/compassion at that particular time. The passage is
not to be taken in a general sense.

Jeff

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "dhamma_service" <frank@...> wrote:
>
> I was reading this excerpt from itivutakka
> § 26. {Iti I.26; Iti 18}
> This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have
> heard: "If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving &
sharing,
> they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of
> selfishness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite,
> their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if
> there were someone to receive their gift. But because beings do
not
> know, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they eat without
> having given. The stain of selfishness overcomes their minds."
> ==============================================
> Thanissaro translated the pali word as "selfishness".
> B.Bodhi translated it as "niggardliness", which dictionary.com
defines
> as extreme stinginess, Grudging and petty in giving or spending.
> Meanly small; scanty or meager: left the waiter a niggardly tip.
John
> Ireland translated the term as "meanness", which happens to be a
> synonym of stinginess, but I did not realize that until looking it
up.
>
> anyone have thoughts on this? I'm not so much interested in
exactly
> which translation is best, as much as how it would shed light on
the
> meaning of the entire passage. What is the benefit of sharing that
the
> Buddha perceives, that an ordinary arahant wouldn't see, a stream
> enterer would see, or even a mudane worldling who has opened the
> divine eye would can see the results of kamma, the death and
> reappearance of beings?
>
> -fk
>