are the 3 kinds of Buddhist
Three kinds of gift are
mentioned in Buddhism, namely:
dāna: The gift of material things,
Abhaya dāna: The fearless gift of life,
Dhamma dāna: The gift of real Truth...
– or the gift of material things is practiced by people of all
religions and is very common. Food, clothes and houses are given to people of
little means or to refugees through various religious and social organizations.
It is, no doubt, a good thing to satisfy the hunger of the starving
yearning of the thirsty. This type of donation is highly recommended in
Buddhism and is called the Amisa
dāna. (The donation of
Next comes the
Abhaya dāna: - or giving life to those
whose lives are in danger
caused by fire, water or enemies. Sometimes we hear of people, who are about
to die due to lack of blood. To donate blood and save another human's life is
indeed a great thing. Donation of eyes and kidneys is also highly appreciated
and comes under Abhaya dāna – fearless donation of life.
When one leads a life
according to the five precepts based on
harmlessness, loving-kindness and sweet
compassion we also give fearlessness Abhaya
dāna: to all the sentient beings.
The last one:
Dhamma dāna: - or the gift of Truth of the Doctrine
is said to be
the highest of all donations on earth. Why so? Because it opens the Door to the
Deathless Dimension! There is no other giving, which is even remotely
Openhanded Giving is the 1st Mental Perfection...
Sabba dānam Dhamma dānam jināti
Sabbam rasam Dhamma raso jināti
Sabbam ratim Dhamma ratī jināti
Tanhakkayo sabba dukkham jināti
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all
The flavour of Dhamma surpasses all other flavours..
delight in Dhamma surpasses all other delights...
He who has destroyed craving overcomes all sorrow....
Most Gods actually became Divine Beings as a
result of Giving!
More on Generosity
= The 1st mental perfection:
Sumedha - the young millionaire - gives
away all his property!
Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero, Singapore.