The one who exploits his generosity is going his
road too. He is like a squirrel who eats up its
store of food in summer, having nothing left ·in
winter. He is growing weaker and more
enslaved with greed and selfishness with every
act of exploitation. We lose nothing by being
generous. We gain nothing by selfishly
exploiting the generosity of others.
4.Different Aspect of Dana
It is not only withmaterialpossessions that we
canbe generous. We can be generous withour
knowledge, our skill, our time, our energy. In his
previous births when he was seeking for
Enlightenment, the Bodhisattva was generous
with his body that many a times he gave away
parts of his body for the sake of other.He had
also given up his life that others might live. So
great was his generosity and compassion.
Even when one is not giving something away, it
is equally wholesome to appreciate the good
deeds of others. It is very inspiring to see others
looking after their old parents kindly, or to see
people studying and teaching the Dhamma.
Appreciating the good deedsof others is a form
of dana and it contributes to a harmonious
society.
Giving others the opportunity to appreciate our
wholesome deeds is another way of performing
dana. When withpure intentions we perform
good deeds, we should not hide them. Instead
we let our good example be a source of
inspiration to others so that they may similarly
perform good deeds.
Patience, compassion and loving kindness must
not be confined to the heart only they should
also be expressed through our thoughts, speech
and actions.
- What is the Highest Form of Generosity?
If you give food to a hungry man today, he will
be hungry again tomorrow. If you give money to
a poor man, he will need them again when the
money have been exhausted. But if you help a
person to have right understanding about good
and bad deeds and how to cultivate the good,
happiness in this life and in later lives will be his.
Once the thirst for Truth is quench, he will
never thirst again. You have truly given him a
priceless gift.
The gift of Truth excels all other gifts.(Dhammapada 354)
The Buddha, with his great compassion, has
bestowed this priceless gem to humanity - to
us. This is the highest manifestation of
generosity. With this gem of Truth, of Light, of
Freedom, we may never again grovel in
darkness and be entangled in this net of
agony and woe.
More and more people are discovering the
truths enshrined in the Buddha's doctrine.
Some people have stepped forward to spend
their time organizing welfare and charitable
activities. Some have shared with others their
experiences in the Dhamma to introduce to
them the practice of Dhamma. Some others
have donated generously to the publication of
Dhamma books.
Following the sacred footsteps of the Master,
these inspired workers are doing what they can
to dispel the darkness of ignorance and to teach
others to lead purposeful lives.
Some may think that they cannot give much,
say, towards the publication of Dhamma books
and pamphlets. But they need not give a
fortune to be generous. What is needed is a few
dollars from every well-wisher. For him, it may
only mean one cinema show less for that month,
or the cost of two days petrol consumption.6