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What is Dana?
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).
Dana is the giving of useful things to other people: 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.
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.
Anger and hatred can also hinder a person from being generous. Under these unwholesome influences, he speaks harshly and acts mindlessly without ever thinking that others have feelings too.
Reluctance can also be due to fear. People are reluctant to donate blood for fear of damaging their health. A person is afraid to donate his eyes because of fears that he might be blind in his next life. Such fears are unfounded and are due to ignorance and lack of understanding and lack of compassion.
The Buddha taught that a person giving alms to monks or virtuous people gains 5 blessings: the affection of the many, noble associations, good reputation, self confidence and heavenly rebirth (Anguttara Nikya V, Sutta 34).
It is not patronage the giving with the intention of indebting another. The one who gives is not in any way more superior to the receiver. True generosity is giving without ulterior motive - he gives with no strings attached; does not expect gratitude in return. He has given and that is the end of the matter. He never complains when people take his gifts for granted.
The person who cultivates this virtue is on his road of growing stronger and freer with every gift he gives. He purifies himself in giving selflessly.
The Lord Buddha sacrifice Himself on many occaions in His previous lives to save other beings.
It is equally wholesome to appreciate the good deeds of others as it is a form of dana and it contributes to a harmonious society.
After receiving the Definite Prophecy from Dipankara Buddha, the Boddhisatta spent 100,000 world cycles and 4 infinite periods pefecting the Ten Paramis. The Jataka Stories relate the supreme efforts of Gotama Buddha at perfecting the ten paramis in his previous births as a Boddhisatta in His efforts to attain Supreme Buddhahood. On the way to perfection, He abuses not when abused; He beats not when beaten; He annoys not when annoyed. He strives to be free from desire in the world of desires, and seeks perfection in an imperfect world.
The Ten Paramis is a course in self-sacrifice. Just to attempt to practise the Paramis will bring immediate improvements into a persons life even though he may not achieve the perfection achieved by the Buddha. Like Buddha Gotama, we too may dedicate ourselves to the noble purpose of serving the world.
One should not think that the Boddhisatta ideal is reserved only for special people. What one has done, another can do.
Therefore let us endeavour to work selflessly for the good of ourselves and others.
The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts the 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