Dana occupies an important part in the Buddha's teaching, which is often formulated under three heading - Dana, Sila and Bhavana (giving, morality, meditation or mental cultivation).
That Dana is one heading underscores its importance. Buddhist should take heed and cultivate a good spirit of Dana.
It is a first step towards eliminating the defilement of greed, hatred and delusion (lobha, Dosa and moha) for every act of giving is an act of non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion.
When you give you have loving-kindness (Metta) and Compassion (Karuna) in your heart. So at that time greed, hatred or ill-will, and delusion would be absent.
"Giving" is a word that has very wide connotations. It does not mean that you give only to monks. It does not mean that you givr only expensive things. And it does not mean that you give only material things that cost money. For you can give many immaterial things which may cont even more than material things.
What I mean is that when we are kind to each other, we are giving kindness, gentleness, comfort, peace, happiness, etc. So we can give by being kind. For example, we can lend a sympathetic ear to a troubled person, listen to him (or her) with compassion and give him comfort and encouragement.
To the troubled person, your giving time to listen to him is more important than if he were to receive a material gift. So when we are for each other, reaching out to help whenever we can. Then we give more kindness bt speaking gently, soothingly, not harshly or angrily.
This can bring much cheer to people, as the following poem shows:
Loving words will cost but little Journeying up the hill of life
But they make the weak and wearing Stronger, braver for the strife
So, as up life's hill we journey let us scatter all the way
Kindly words, to be as sunshine In the dark and cloudy day.
When we bring happiness into the lives or others, we are giving in a very meaningful way. In this context, giving would mean more than just giving material things. The attitude involved is also important. For example , during the time of the Buddha, there was one, Prince Payasi, who established a charity for ascetics and Brahmins, wayfarers. beggars and the needy. And he gave such food as broken rice and gruel and also rough clothing.
A young Brahmin called Uttara was out in chare of the distribution. One day uttara made some uncomplimentary remarks about Prince payasi. The prince called him up and asked: But why did you say such thing? Friend ?Uttara, don't we who wish to gain merit expect a reward for our charity?" Uttara replied: But Lord, the food you give-broken rice with sour gruel-you would not care to touch it with your foot, much less eat it! And the rough clothes - you would not care to set foot on them, much less wear them! Prnce Paysai then asked Uttars to arrange to supply better food and clothing and the latter did so.
When the prince died he was reborn in an empty mansion in a low heavenly realm. uttara was reborn in a higher heavenly relam i the company of the 33 gods.
This was because Prince Payasi had established his charity grudgingly. not with own hands, and without proper concern , like something tossed aside.
This account from Payasi Sutta of Digha Nikaya shows the importance of having true care and concern. So whendoing Dana we should take care to cultivate a heart of true loving-kindness and compassion.
Buddhist are taught to offer food, robes, medicine and monastery buildings to monks. Monks are considered a field of merits and worthy of support. it is understandable that Buddhist should giver full support to the Sangha, for the monks are the ones who are in a position to study, practice and safeguard the Dharma for the present and future generations. Without the Dharmma, Buddhism would be lost.
The monks too keep 227 precepts, which restrain them form indulgence in sensual pleasures.
Lay Buddhists thus consider monks to be in better position to cultivate mental purity. So monks generally receive good supports from aly Buddhist and this is as it should be.
But in the true spirit of Dana , Buddhist should not confine their giving to monks only. They should relate well with their fellow Buddhist, showing care and concern and sharing what they can.
Whenever somebody is in trouble and needs help, they should extend the same loving-kindness to society at large, to people of all races and creeds. they can donate liberally according to their ability to hospital s old folks homes handicapped institutions and all worthy causes.
They can also get together and set up such institution, such a broad attitude will make life meaningful and rewarding.
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