Post on 06-Apr-2018
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Lesson 10
The UnlosableTreasure-Store
Dana(Generosity)
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What is Dana?
Dana is the giving of useful things to otherpeople: food to the hungry, medicine to the sick,
money to the needy, kindness and compassion
to all living being, and above all, the knowledge
of the Dhamma to those searching for Truth.
The Buddha taught us to perform 3 highly
meritorious acts in order to gain happiness now
and in the future. They are Dana (generosity),
Sila (morality), and Bhavana (mental culture).
It may sound paradoxical but one indeed
possesess something worthwhile not by
hoarding but by sharing with others. The more
he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
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Why the reluctance to give?
People have strongattachments topossessions that they areunprepared to share.They are slaves to theirpossessions and greed istheir master.
Reluctance can also be due to fear. Peopleare reluctant to donate blood for fear ofdamaging their health. A person is afraid todonate his eyes because of fears that hemight be blind in his next life.Such fears are unfounded and are due toignorance and lack of understanding and lackof compassion.
Anger and hatred can alsohinder a person from beinggenerous. Under theseunwholesome influences,he speaks harshly andacts mindlessly withoutever thinking that othershave feelings too.
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Why should we give?
We purify ourselves by giving and also increase
our happiness. The act of charity promoteswholesome thoughts, actions and speech which
create good Kamma.
Dana is the antidote to the poison of greed. Eachtime we give selflessly, we chip away our mighty
crag of selfishness.
The Buddha taught that a person giving alms to
monks or virtuous people gains 5 blessings: theaffection of the many, noble associations, good
reputation, self confidence and heavenly rebirth
(Anguttara Nikya V, Sutta 34).
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What is True Generosity?
It is not patronage the giving with the intention ofindebting another. The one who gives is not in anyway more superior to the receiver.
Generosity springs from the heart. It arises withcompassion, friendliness and kindness. It goeshand in hand with sympathy.
True generosity is giving without ulterior motive - hegives with no strings attached; does not expectgratitude in return. He has given and that is the endof the matter. He never complains when people take
his gifts for granted.
The person who cultivates this virtue is on his road ofgrowing stronger and freer with every gift he gives. He
purifies himself in giving selflessly.
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Different Aspect of Dana
Dana need not beconfined to materialgifts. We can begenerous with ourknowledge, skill, time,energy.
It is equally wholesometo appreciate the gooddeeds of others as it is aform of dana and itcontributes to aharmonious society.
The Lord Buddhasacrifice Himself onmany occaions in Hisprevious lives to saveother beings.
Giving others an opportunity toappreciate our wholesomedeeds is another form of dana.When we perform deeds withpure intentions, we should letour deeds be known to othersas source of inspirations tothem and for them to share ourmerits.
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What is the Highest Form of Dana?The gift of the Dhamma is the greatest gift of all.
If you help your friend to have rightunderstanding about good and bad deeds andhow to cultivate the good, he will havehappiness in this life and later lives.
Once the thirst for Truth is quenched he will
never thirst again. You have truly given him apriceless gift.
How can you contribute?
Give your time and effort to help spread the
message of the Lord Buddha.
Donate money to print dhamma materials it
does not matter how much you donate.
Give your time to charitable and welfareorganisations.
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The Ten Transcendental Virtues (Paramis)Generosity Morality Renunciation Wisdom Energy
Patience Truthfulness Determination Loving-kindness
Equanimity
After receiving the Definite Prophecy fromDipankara Buddha, the Boddhisatta spent 100,000
world cycles and 4 infinite periods pefecting theTen Paramis.
The Jataka Stories relate the supreme efforts ofGotama Buddha at perfecting the ten paramis inhis previous births as a Boddhisatta in His efforts
to attain Supreme Buddhahood.
On the way to perfection, He abuses not whenabused; He beats not when beaten; He annoys notwhen annoyed. He strives to be free from desire
in the world of desires, and seeks perfection in animperfect world.
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The Ten Paramis - Generosity
The Boddhisatta practises generosity to
eliminate craving that lies dormant
within Himself. However He combines
wisdom with generosity so that a person
does not misuse His gift.
He is ever willing to render every
possible aid to anyone and yet He does
not want another to feel indebted anddoes not want reward in return.
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The Ten Paramis - Morality
Morality consists of duties one shouldperform and refrain from performing.
One has to perform duties towards parents,
children, husband, wife, teachers, pupils,
friends, monks, etc.
Beside these duties, he refrains from wrong
deeds by observing the Five Precepts daily
and the Eight Precepts on Uposatha days.
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The Ten Paramis - Renunciation
The Bodhisatta is a lover of solitute and isalways selfless in his activities.
He works hard for His inner spiritual
development, catering at the same time for the
spiritual needs of others.
He may either choose to live a life of an ascetic
or a monk.
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The Ten Paramis - WisdomWisdom is the understanding of the Three Characteristics of Lifeand also world knowledge.
He never desires to display His knowledge nor is He ashamed toplead ignorance even in public. He tries His best to lead othersfrom spiritual darkness to light.
Knowledge is acquired through 3 methods:1. Hearing or reading
2. Thinking scientificknowledge arises in thismanner
3. Meditation andcontemplation throughmeditation, one realisesintuitive truths which are
beyond logicalreasoning, in addition toworldly wisdom thathelps him to live ahappy live.
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The Ten Paramis - Energy
Energy refers to the mental vigour or strength of
character. It is the persistence and effort to workfor the welfare of others. No one can succeed
without persistent effort.
Failures are viewed as steps to success; opposition
causes him to double his effort; dangers increase
his courage.
The Ten Paramis - Patience
It is the patient endurance of suffering inflictedupon oneself by others wrongs. Practising
patience and tolerance, instead of seeing the
ugliness in others, a Boddhisatta tries to seek the
goodness and beauty in all.
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The Ten Paramis - Truthfulness
A Boddhisatta always fulfils his promises and never breaks his
word. In the course of His samsara, He never uttered an untruthalthough at times He may violate the other four precepts.
He was prepared even to sacrifice His life to fulfil His promise.
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The Ten Paramis Loving-kindnessIt is this loving-kindness and wish for the goodand happiness of all beings that prompts aBodhisatta to renounce personal deliverancefor the sake of others.
With this universal love, He fears none andnone fears Him.Loving-kindness possesses a mystic powerwhich can easily influence beings far and near.A pure heart that radiates this force iscapable of transforming wild beasts into tameones, murderers into saints.
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The Ten Paramis Equanimity
Equanimity is the evenness of mind whichviews all things impartially withoutattachment or hatred.Slights, insults, praise, blame, loss, gain, painand happiness are the common feelings ofhumanity. Amidst all these conditions, theBoddhisatta stands unmoved like a firm rock,exercising perfect equanimity.He is undistubed by poisonous tongues; notattached to the illusory pleasures of thischanging world. He is unaffected by worldlytemptations, ever calm and peaceful.
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The Ten Paramis
The Ten Paramis is a course in self-sacrifice. Justto attempt to practise the Paramis will bring
immediate improvements into a persons life eventhough he may not achieve the perfectionachieved by the Buddha.
Like Buddha Gotama, we too may dedicateourselves to the noble purpose of serving the
world.One should not think that the Boddhisatta idealis reserved only for special people. What onehas done, another can do.
Therefore let us endeavour to work selflessly forthe good of ourselves and others.
Generosity Morality Renunciation Wisdom Energy
Patience Truthfulness Determination Loving-kindness
Equanimity
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The gift of Dhamma excels all giftsthe taste of Dhamma excels all taste,the delight in dhamma excels all delights,
The Craving-Freed vanquishes all suffering.- Dhammapada verse 354
End of Lesson 10