GIVING ( OFFERING OF DANA )
May the Dhamma last as long as my sons and grandsons, and the sun and the moon will be and may the people follow the path of the Dhamma, for if one follows the path, happiness in this and in other world will be attained.-King Asoka-
Dana is a Pali word that can be translated as giving, generosity, charity and liberality. Buddhist should take heed and cultivate a good spirit of dana. Its is a first step towards eliminating the defilement of greed, hatred and delusion (lobha, dosa & moha), for every act of giving is an act of non-greed, non-hatred and non-delusion.
In doing dana, such as offering of food to monks, the donor should be happy before, during and after the offering. This means that before the offering, during the preparatory stage, the donor should go about the planning and preparation happily.
He should realize and appreciate that what he is thinking, planning and doing is very commendable and wholesome. He should be glad on that account. Then when offering the food he should be happy, mindful and aware of what he is doing. He should not be absent-minded and think about other things while making the offering.
After the offering, whenever he recalls his good deed, he should rejoice and be glad. Some people may not have such an attitude. For example, they may have an intention to do dana but failed to carry it out. Or when doing dana, they may not be mindful and are thinking of something else. And after making the offering, some may even regret doing so. In this way, the result of the deed varies.
Furthermore, dana should be done with understanding of the law of action and result (Karma-vipaka). We understand that we are the owner of our deeds. Whatever we do will rebound back on us. Good will beget good, and bad will beget bad. Dana when done with the belief in the law of Karma is accompanied by wisdom.
Resolution is an important factor. Whenever we do any good deed we should make an aspiration for the attainment of Nibbana-the cessation of all suffering. In the Myanmar tradition, one wishes that one may be healthy, wealthy, and happy and attain Nibbana.
After the performance of dana or any good deed, we should share the merits gained with all beings. This is very beneficial, as sharing of merits is in itself a good deed. The mind enjoys a wholesome state associated with loving-kindness and compassion as we share the merits of our good deeds.
Monks who receive food and other requisites from devotees also have a duty to fulfill. The monks should realize that those who are offering them food are not their relatives. May the good monk be of good health to pursue a holy life, practice meditation and be liberated from samsara. May we, the person who offers, also benefit from these good deeds. Therefore the monks as receivers can only repay the devotees by striving hard, studying the Dhamma and practicing meditation to purify their minds. In this way, the devotees will gain great merits by virtue of the purity of the monk or his earnest efforts to attain that purity.
In giving, one can only give what one can afford. But in giving, it is not only the value that counts, but also the heart that gives.
The immediate result of dana is that one will be popular and well-liked by people. This is natural, people feel good and happy when they receive something. According to Buddhism, the result of giving is that one will become wealthy in this or future lives. The person who is generous may find himself advancing in his career or business, and making even more money. Furthermore, after death he may reborn in the heavenly world and enjoy celestial pleasures. If he is reborn as a human being he will be wealthy.
