I have heard that The Blessed One has advised monks not to preach Dhamma to the people who don’t take it respectfully (or some similar idea). It has been regarded as giving valuable sandlewood for cheap price. (I think it is in a sutta I can’t find)
If so, what about the public distribution of Dhamma books or ebooks etc. ?
Earlier today I came across AN5.255 and AN5.254. And these suttas have a lot to say about the topic and question you put forward.
“Mendicants, the spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these five kinds of stinginess. What five? Stinginess with dwellings, families, material possessions, praise, and the teachings.
The spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these five kinds of stinginess.”
“Mendicants, there are these five kinds of stinginess. What five? Stinginess with dwellings, families, material possessions, praise, and the teachings. These are the five kinds of stinginess.
The most contemptible of these five kinds of stinginess is stinginess with the teachings.”
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