Lesson 10

The Unlosable
Treasure-Store
Dana
(Generosity)
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
Dana is the
Bhavana givingculture).
(mental 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
It may sound paradoxical but
knowledge of the Dhamma to
one indeed possesess
those searching for Truth.
something worthwhile not by
hoarding but by sharing with
others. The more he gives to
Why the reluctance
to give?
People have strong
Anger and hatred can
attachments to
also hinder a person
possessions that they
from being generous.
are unprepared to
Under these
share. They are
unwholesome
slaves to their
influences, he speaks
possessions and
harshly and acts
greed is their master.
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.
Why should
we give?
Dana is the antidote to the poison
of greed. Each time we give
selflessly, we chip away our
mighty crag of selfishness.
We purify ourselves by giving and
also increase our happiness. The
act of charity promotes wholesome
thoughts, actions and speech
which create good Kamma.
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
 What is True
Generosity?
Generosity springs from the heart. It arises with
compassion, friendliness and kindness. It goes
hand in hand with sympathy.

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.
 Different Aspect of
Dana need not be Dana
Giving others an
opportunity to appreciate
confined to material
our wholesome deeds is
gifts. We can be
another form of dana.
generous with our
When we perform deeds
knowledge, skill,
with pure intentions, we
time, energy.
should let our deeds be
known to others as source
of inspirations to them and
for them to share our
merits.
The Lord Buddha
sacrifice Himself
on many occaions It is equally
in His previous wholesome to
lives to save other appreciate the good
beings. deeds of others as it
is a form of dana and
it contributes to a
harmonious society.
What is the Highest Form
ofgiftDana?
The of the Dhamma is the greatest gift of all.
If you help your friend to have right
understanding about good and bad deeds and
how to cultivate the good, he will have
happiness in this life and later lives.
Once the thirst for Truth is quenched he will
never thirst again. You have truly given him a
priceless gift.
How can you
contribute?
Give your time and effort to help spread the
message of the Lord Buddha.

Give your time to charitable and welfare

organisations.
Donate money to print dhamma materials – it
does not matter how much you donate.
 The Ten Transcendental
Virtues
Generosity Morality
(Paramis) Energy
Renunciation Wisdom

Patience Truthfulness Determination Loving- Equanimity

kindness

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 -
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 and does not
want reward in return.
The Ten Paramis -
Morality
Morality consists of duties one
should perform 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.
The Ten Paramis -
Renunciation
The Bodhisatta is a lover of
solitute and is always 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.
 The Ten Paramis -
Wisdom
Wisdom is the understanding of the Three Characteristics of Life
and also world knowledge.
He never desires to display His knowledge nor is He ashamed to
plead ignorance even in public. He tries His best to lead others
from spiritual darkness to light.

Knowledge is acquired through 3

methods:
1. Hearing or reading
2. Thinking – scientific
knowledge arises in this
manner
3. Meditation and
contemplation – through
meditation, one realises
intuitive truths which are
beyond logical
reasoning, in addition to
worldly wisdom that
helps him to live a
happy live.
The Ten Paramis -
Energy
Energy refers to the mental vigour
or strength of character. It is the
persistence and effort to work for
the welfare of others. No one can
succeed without
Failures are persistent
viewed as stepseffort.
to
success; opposition causes him to
double his effort; dangers increase
his courage.
The Ten Paramis -
Patience
It is the patient endurance of
suffering inflicted upon oneself by
others’ wrongs. Practising
patience and tolerance, instead of
seeing the ugliness in others, a
Boddhisatta tries to seek the
 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 untruth
although at timeseven
He was prepared He may violate the
to sacrifice Hisother
life to
four
fulfil precepts.
His promise.
 The Ten Paramis –
It Loving-kindness
is this loving-kindness and wish for
the good and happiness of all beings
that prompts a Bodhisatta to renounce
personal deliverance for the sake of
others.

With this universal love, He fears none

and none fears Him.

Loving-kindness possesses a mystic

power which can easily influence beings
far and near.
A pure heart that radiates this force is
capable of transforming wild beasts
into tame ones, murderers into saints.
 The Ten Paramis –
Equanimity
Equanimity is the evenness of mind
which views all things impartially
without attachment or hatred.
Slights, insults, praise, blame, loss, gain,
pain and happiness are the common
feelings of humanity. Amidst all these
conditions, the Boddhisatta stands
unmoved like a firm rock, exercising
perfect equanimity.
He is undistubed by poisonous tongues;
not attached to the illusory pleasures of
this changing world. He is unaffected by
worldly temptations, ever calm and
peaceful.
 The Ten Paramis
Generosity Morality Renunciation Wisdom Energy

Patience Truthfulness Determination Loving- Equanimity

kindness

The Ten Paramis is a course in self-sacrifice. Just

to attempt to practise the Paramis will bring
immediate improvements into a person’s 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