Right motivation for dāna

The Watercooler
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Hi all!

I recently heard a dharma talk by Ajahn Brahmli, where he mentioned that the Buddha said: “If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.”

I wonder if there is anything one can do to decrease the selfnishness of the sharing, if the motivation one has is “may the merit I make from sharing this meal agree with the word of the Buddha”, how can one train to move “up the motivation ladder” up to “May this sharing will be an adornment and requisite for the mind”. https://suttacentral.net/an7.52/en/sujato

With metta!

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Hi @Aviv815 ,
Something I’ve found helpful is to reflect on the purpose of generosity and how it helps to establish the mind in a wholesome way. In being generous we can practice non-attachment, insight, and metta all at once.

For this, I take inspiration from the Anapanasati Sutta and like to be mindful of how it feels when I offer material or emotional support with those I interact with. Just as the Buddha teaches us to pay attention to how the mind and body respond when we focus on the breath, we can pay attention to how the mind and body respond when we are presented with opportunities to be generous. Just as paying attention to the qualities of the breath leads to mental stillness, tranquility, and bliss so does paying attention to the qualities of our moral character.

If we find ourselves averse to giving when it would not harm us to do so then we have discovered the habit of ill-will in the form of whatever way the aversion displays itself. It can manifest in obvious ways - thinking or feeling that the recipient is undeserving - or in more subtle ways - thinking or feeling that we would be lacking if we gave something. These types of reactions offer us an opportunity to reflect on the Dharma and can be used even to support our understanding of not-self, impermance, and dissatisfaction. Our aversion or desire to be generous offers insight into our mental states, highlighting where pride and clinging are present and showing us whether we have cultivated conditional or unconditional goodwill or not.

Being generous creates joy in the giver and the receiver. It uplifts the mind, it inclines it toward the wholesome, it aids in meditation, it helps create a better sense of community and well-being in our sphere of influence. These are ordinary ways in which giving can have immediate positive results as long as we do so without attachment and with the goal of cultivating a purified mind. In this way we can use the positive acts as a springboard into further development of the paramis or in our mindfulness and meditation. Something I like to reflect on is how virtue is happiness and how happiness is virtue.

When we are overcome with self-doubt or ill-will towards ourselves or others we follow the Buddha’s advice and reflect on the inspiring stories of the Noble Sangha but also reflect on our own goodness as a way of uplifting the mind and supporting stillness.

So in this way we can see that generosity acts as a springboard for metta and insight.

I hope you’re doing well, good luck with your practice. :folded_hands:

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Thank you :folded_hands::folded_hands::folded_hands:
I really enjoyed reading, the idea od mindfullness of giving ia beautiful!

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Greeting @Aviv815,

For my case I take inspiration and hints from the sutta ,that the practice anupubbikathā (gradual training) starts with giving , and the fact that as a wise person ,it is necessary to made preparation for journey on samsara.

This preparation none others than learning and practicing Dana,Sila,Samadhi,Panna.

For Dana,one can contemplate the following:

  • Bodhisatta started his training of perfection ( parami) with Dana just as the same as other disciples of Buddha ( you can read here :http://bit.ly/ABT-Great-Chronicles) as such i will emulate them by training perfection of giving Dana.
  • In AN 5.31 we will know that the benefits of giving , which is not only applicable for human life, its made distinction difference for life as human,devas ,..even as a renunciate.!
  • As someone that is rare and lucky born as human in this life time, one should hurry cultivating meritorious good karmas. Just as a wise traveler that made preparation for long far journey (such as cap, bag,water bottles,umbrella,food,drink etc), hence in this life time one will need to made necessary preparations. (preparation here as acquiring meritorious karma; Dana,Sila,Samadhi,Panna).

I would recommened you made aspiration : “May the merit of this giving , helps me in cutting of Greed,Hatred,Delusion, towards Nibbana, May all being be well and happy. “

This aspirations will leads toward perfection of your Dana paramis.

of course, It is also imperative that you also practice good Sila( practice morality of five precepts )Athasila (during certain buddhist day),Samadhi ( learning and practicing meditation ( samatha or Vipassana)and Panna ( learning,contemplation of Dhamma).

By doing it consistently, daily with vigor, and enthusiasm,imbued it with Wisdom.. it will helps you move up your practice of giving and enhance your cultivation towards Liberation.

(Note: it cut away coarse Lobha,Dosa,Moha which are :Greed,stinginess,Hatred,Anger and delusion replacing it with Generosity-care for other, Lovingkindness,compassion and Wisdom.

As my opinion.generosity( Dana) will acts an excellent foundation for your cultivation towards Nibbana, (just dont content with practice of Dana, you needed Sila,Samadhi,Panna !!)

Good luck with your practice.

With Metta,

Qzt

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I came across yesterday that Ledi Sayadaw in uttamapurisa dipani has some excellent stuff to say in answer to this question and suggest in short the practice of common ownership a noble one doesn’t think of giving as to increase merit

He mentions one situation that is lower where one thinks of the consequences or that it may adorn one’s character (merit) one things of the merit. A higher one

“The third case One is prepared to share any of one’s possessions with others as one has no attachment to them. One rightly follows the practice of the noble ones. It is truly a practice for the perfection of giving. The same spirit of considering the deed alone and not its rewards governs the remains perfections (parami)”