Reflections No.56 - Janussoni Sutta AN 10.177

Janussoni Sutta  AN 10.177

One day Brahmin Janussoni performed the memorial rites and services and offered gifts (foods) to the departed ones.

He  asked Buddha :

"Can the gifts actually be of benefit to the departed ones, and can they actually partake the gifts ?"

Buddha replied : "on a right occasion it can be of benefit, not on a wrong occasion."

For those who do not observe precepts, who possess greed, ill-will and wrong view, they are reborn either in hell, or as animals. They sustain themselves and subsist there on the foods of the hell-beings and animals respectively. Thus, the gifts offered are not of benefits to those beings.

As for those who observe precepts, without greed, ill will and possess right view, they are reborn as either human beings or devas. This too, is a wrong occasion when the gifts are not of benefits to them as they sustan and subsist on the foods of human, and devas respectively.

But for those who are born as afflicted spirits (petas, or usually called hungry ghosts), they sustain and subsist on foods of petas, or sustain themselves on foods what their friends, relatives or family members in this world offer to them. This is a right occasion when the gifts are of benefits to them.

Brahmin Janussoni asked again : "then who partake of the gifts if that deceased relative or family member has not been reborn in that place (realm) ?"

Buddha answered : "other departed relatives or family members who have been reborn there."

Brahmin Janussoni then asked again :

"If NEITHER that deceased relatives or family members NOR any others have been reborn in that place ?"

Buddha answered : "Over this long stretch of time (in samsara), it is impossible and inconceivable for that place (Realm of petas or hungry ghosts) to be devoid of one's departed relatives and family members."

Therefore, there is reason to give gifts and perform the memorial rites for the dead Further, it is meritorious for donor too.

The first half is about the benefit of offering gifts to the daparted ancestors (who may be reborn as petas). The rest of the Sutta is about the benefits of offering gifts to ascetics and brahmins.