GIVING

Giving, in Buddhism, is practiced as the first of the Six Perfections (Skt. Paramita), in English, Generosity or Charity (Skt. Dana). Thus, it is called Dana Paramita. The perfection of all the other Paramitas — Precepts (Shila), Endurance (Virya), Patience (Kshanti), Contemplation (Dhyana), and Wisdom (Prajna), flows from the perfection of Generosity. The Three Minds cultivated in Zen (J. Sanshin) are Magnanimous, Nurturing, and Joyful. All three depend upon generosity to oneself as well as others, and to existence itself.

The Buddhist principle of accepting Dana derives from the “business model” of the original Order in India. The followers of Buddha practiced spiritual poverty, and what is sometimes called mendicancy, or begging, an unfortunate term that connotes a condition of dependency. But Buddhism’s Dana, or charitable giving, stands180-degrees in opposition to its connotation in Western society. When the monks went on their daily rounds (J. takahatsu), they were offering charity to the villagers, in that they allowed them a way to support Buddhism. Most householders cannot devote full-time to the practice of Buddhism as does a monk or nun, so the only way that many can participate is through the giving of alms, material or financial.

For a Member of the STO, the main form that one’s personal practice of Dana takes, is in observing the eighth Grave Precept, Be giving — Do not spare the Dharma assets. This means offering the gift of the Dharma to Sangha members, as well as to the public. This is to be implemented through, for example, the dedication of time to formal training under a sanctioned teacher (J. Sensei); the acceptance of responsibility for participating in the regular schedule of the Affiliate Zen Center; offering assistance to seniors in their efforts; and engaging in practice teaching and public speaking, under tutelage of Seniors.