Thursday, March 28, 2013

Perfection of Giving

 One's motivation for giving to others is at least as important as what is given.


What is right or wrong motivation?
These include being shamed or intimidated into giving; giving to receive a favor; giving to feel good about yourself. These are impure motivations.


The Buddha taught that when we give to others, we give without expectation of reward. We give without attaching to either the gift or the recipient.

We practice giving to release greed and self-clinging.

At the same time, there is no giving without receiving. In a sense, giving and receiving are one. If giving is "good," then receiving is equally good..