How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
Post Reply
Mayallbehappy3333
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:45 pm

How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by Mayallbehappy3333 »

First post on here, hello to all :)

When giving donations to the Sangha, how should one go about this? Say if one buys food and donates in person to the Sangha, is it better to offer it to a monk directly?

In order to maximise the beneficial effects of giving, should one contemplate in the mind the beneficial effects that it will have, for example something like 'this food is given for the nourishment of those that have made a great sacrifice for the benefit of all beings, may it serve them well'.

If so then is that applicable for say work done at a chosen monastery during a stay, for example contemplating the tasks that one has completed and the benefits that will have for the Sangha?

Any answers are much appreciated, hope you are all having a smooth and easeful day, thank you!

:anjali:
Ontheway
Posts: 3062
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:35 pm

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by Ontheway »

:anjali:

To maximize the benefits, prior to giving Dana (be it to Sangha or individual Bhikkhu, Samanera, Samaneri, people with 8 precepts, people with 5 precepts, people with no precepts, family members or friends, animals, or anyone), the donator must have at least 10 mundane right views as a basis:
There is what is given, what is offered, what is sacrificed. There are fruits & results of good & bad actions. There is this world & the next world. There is mother & father. There are spontaneously reborn beings; there are contemplatives & brahmans who, faring rightly & practicing rightly, proclaim this world & the next after having directly known & realized it for themselves.
There he/she understands the significance of the act of giving, the moral of it, the attitude towards this act of giving. There he/she becomes careful, humble, without any stinginess.

During the act of giving, he/she gives something to others with joy, with good will, with right views in his/her mind. He/she is not giving out of peer pressure, out of fame, not boastful, not expecting the receiver(s) to give something back in return.

After the act of giving, he/she should review the action in his/her mind joyfully, knowing that "Today, I gave something to others without any stinginess; today I am one step closer in perfecting Dana Parami." There he/she reviews such thought over again and again. Not only it brings merits but also conducive to the practice named "Caganussati" or "Recollection of one's Generosity".

:anjali:
Hiriottappasampannā,
sukkadhammasamāhitā;
Santo sappurisā loke,
devadhammāti vuccare.

https://suttacentral.net/ja6/en/chalmer ... ight=false
Mayallbehappy3333
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by Mayallbehappy3333 »

That is super helpful thank you very much, have a lovely evening.

:anjali:
SarathW
Posts: 21240
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by SarathW »

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel.
:anjali:
This discourse discusses the motivations one might have for being generous, and rates in ascending order the results that different motivations can lead to.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html

The following article gives reference to various Sutta in relation to Dana

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dha ... index.html
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
befriend
Posts: 2284
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:39 am

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by befriend »

Before you give there is the intention to give which brings joy, the act of giving brings joy, after giving recollection of what one has done brings joy. It also helps brighten the mind to make better meditation.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
Mayallbehappy3333
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by Mayallbehappy3333 »

Thank you to both of you!

:anjali:
Mayallbehappy3333
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 4:45 pm

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by Mayallbehappy3333 »

Regarding this part...

" — but with the thought, 'This is an ornament for the mind, a support for the mind' — on the break-up of the body, after death, he reappears in the company of Brahma's Retinue. Then, having exhausted that action, that power, that status, that sovereignty, he is a non-returner. He does not come back to this world."

Does this mean thinking that the donation is a support for the mind of another being?

Thank you again

:anjali:
User avatar
confusedlayman
Posts: 6231
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 12:16 am
Location: Human Realm (as of now)

Re: How to conduct oneself in giving Dana

Post by confusedlayman »

Mayallbehappy3333 wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:56 pm Regarding this part...

" — but with the thought, 'This is an ornament for the mind, a support for the mind' — on the break-up of the body, after death, he reappears in the company of Brahma's Retinue. Then, having exhausted that action, that power, that status, that sovereignty, he is a non-returner. He does not come back to this world."

Does this mean thinking that the donation is a support for the mind of another being?

Thank you again

:anjali:
When u have lots of millions in bank and u think u might be murdered or attacked and being a millionaire will hurt more wben u think like this because ur mind worry about millions ans what will happen etc.. but if u donate millions u will have few cash and it makes ur heart and mind weightless from worry...
I may be slow learner but im at least learning...
Post Reply