Can Generosity be Poison?
Upvote:1
The giving of gifts is discussed in AN8.33
A person might give a gift out of favoritism or hostility or stupidity or cowardice. Or they give thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family tradition.’ Or they give thinking, ‘After I’ve given this gift, when my body breaks up, after death, I’ll be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ Or they give thinking, ‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’ Or they give a gift thinking, ‘This is an adornment and requisite for the mind.’
Rather than focus on the poisoned outcomes of ways of giving, it might be simplest to simply focus on the best way to give a gift. Specifically, the giving of alms is
an adornment and requisite for the mind
If we conduct all our giving in this manner, then the problem of giving gifts unpoisoned is solved.
However, there is also the matter of receiving gifts that were given with unwholesome (e.g., poisened) intent. From AN4.78:
And how is a religious donation purified by the recipient, not the giver? It’s when the giver is unethical, of bad character, but the recipient is ethical, of good character.
This is quite significant, because the recipient receives the gift as given, without resentment and with full acceptance.
Upvote:2
To blame a giver's generosity for a receiver's attachment, are we sure that this is the "right view"?
Agree that the "giver" needs to be skillful, i.e. with no malicious intentions when giving.
Upvote:4
Yes (I think some gifts may have a poisonous effect), and so perhaps should care who you give to, and what.
You might also be careful about what you accept -- someone who only accepts what they need might not have that problem.
Another problem (that could poisoning the giver) might be giving with or because of some attachment, e.g. because you want something in return.
Some of the famous Zen stories are about giving, e.g.:
- The Giver should be Thankful
- The Moon Cannot Be Stolen
- The Thief Who Became a Disciple
More post
- 📝 Websites with the Chinese canon translated into English?
- 📝 I am trying to find the correlation between theravada jhana, rupa/arupa and the 9 levels of calm abiding in tibetan buddhism
- 📝 Shouldn't we take Lord Buddha's word above the all others?
- 📝 Do Buddhists file lawsuits when grievances are done against them?
- 📝 How to avoid apathy in the absence of self?
- 📝 Does Buddhism endorse pacifism in times of injustice?
- 📝 A better translation of four elements
- 📝 Buddhist forums & communities
- 📝 Does meditation lead to incarnation?
- 📝 What is path and fruition?
- 📝 Zen koans, is there any point in thinking about them?
- 📝 Color perception in meditation
- 📝 Three Questions about Sexual Desire
- 📝 In Buddhism Can Devas do Something For Us?
- 📝 How come desire and sati causes sleepness?
- 📝 What is "stillness" or samatha?
- 📝 What is the meaning and origin of “Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa”?
- 📝 Is it ok to watch a media that promote h*m*sexuality?
- 📝 Who is experiencing the non self?
- 📝 What is the authority of the Kathavatthu (points of Controversy) and the 3rd counsil?
- 📝 Sutta in which Buddha says that he/anyone don't have to take another person words?
- 📝 Reason of pandemics
- 📝 What is a Buddhist ceremony or service called, and what day of the week is it likely to be?
- 📝 Possible to intentionally kill without "intention"?
- 📝 Finding it difficult to cultivate mudita(empathetic joy)
- 📝 What is 'crazy wisdom'? (no uninformed guesses please)
- 📝 Is there a point for a not continues practice?
- 📝 Should a Buddhist have Children?
- 📝 Does rebirth or reincarnation occur in Buddhism?
- 📝 Is Nibbana a state of mind or an element (dhamma)?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Can Generosity be Poison?
- 📝 Can the Buddha ever be a woman?
- 📝 If there is no soul, how can there be rebirth?
- 📝 Lust - How Can it be Overcome?
- 📝 Where is the Buddha quoted as saying do not believe anything I say until you can prove it by yourself?
- 📝 How can I assess the quality of a local Buddhist group?
- 📝 Can or should a Buddhist defend themselves physically?
- 📝 Can Buddhists be good workplace leaders?
- 📝 Can you attain stream entry without meditation?
- 📝 Can a non-Buddhist get Nirvana?
- 📝 Can one learn meditation on their own?
- 📝 Can I practice Buddhism without meditating?
- 📝 Can one practice meditation to gain knowledge about the universe?
- 📝 Can the noble eightfold path be followed in its entirety by a lay follower?
- 📝 Enlightened Lies - Can lying be the correct action in certain situations?
- 📝 How can I remove my desire for a relationship/girlfriend?
- 📝 Can environmental degradation be used as a justification for the culling of an invasive alien species?
- 📝 What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
- 📝 Can we reach enlightentment with recreational drugs?
- 📝 Can Buddhism be viewed as a threat to the capitalist way of life?
- 📝 Can someone explain about children monks?
- 📝 How can I know that I am clear of thoughts while I am meditating?
- 📝 Can a person live by the Dhamma and have another religion as well?
- 📝 Does being in a commited married life make it impossible to attain Nirvana? If not, how can one progress towards Nirvana?
- 📝 How can I respond to Christians' unpleasant feedback on Buddhism?
- 📝 Which is the Buddhist holy book? Where can it be read?
- 📝 How can I build up to being able to get into the full lotus position?
- 📝 Can I meditate while lying on my back?
- 📝 Can We Teach Animals the Dhamma?
- 📝 Can a Buddhist truthfully say, "You insulted / offended / angered / hurt me?"