Buddhism for You Lesson10 Dana 100606101023 Phpapp02

8/2/2019 Buddhism for You Lesson10 Dana 100606101023 Phpapp02

1/18

Lesson 10

The UnlosableTreasure-Store

Dana(Generosity)


2/18

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.


3/18

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.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DNhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.writershome.com/graphics/inst-fear.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.writershome.com/instruction/interview.htm&h=262&w=166&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfear%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.newcolony.org/images/prison.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.newcolony.org/pages/ministries/prison.htm&h=234&w=363&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dprison%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN


4/18

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).


5/18

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.


6/18

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.


7/18

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.


8/18

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.


9/18

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.


10/18

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.


11/18

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.


12/18

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.


13/18

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.


14/18

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.


15/18

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.


16/18

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.


17/18

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


18/18

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

Buddhism for You Lesson10 Dana 100606101023 Phpapp02

Documents

Transcript of Buddhism for You Lesson10 Dana 100606101023 Phpapp02