Seek a deeper understanding of the fundamental and enduring questions that have been raised by thoughtful human beings in the rich traditions of the East.
Generosity |
Also called dana, the practice of giving and letting go |
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The Bodhisattva's Gift
When we examine our own giving, we often discern that we give for a wide variety of reasons, often with mixed motives. Although we may have the well-being of the recipient in mind when we give, we also give in order to receive. More » -
The Joy of Giving
If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of selfishness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were someone to receive their gift. —Itivuttaka 26 More » -
Good Work
Dana (“giving”) is the most fundamental of all Buddhist practices. It is the first topic in the Buddha’s graduated talks, the first step on the bodhisattva’s path to perfection, and the first of the ten paramitas (perfections) in the Mahayana tradition. It therefore sets the tone for all that follows in the spiritual journey. -Andrew Olendzki, "Dana" Tricycle's "Good Work" section, complete list: More » -
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Dana Works: The Dharma Seed Archival Center
"How many people go to work every day with the goal of contributing to the ending of suffering in the world?" asks Judy Phillips, the director of the Dharma Seed Archival Center. "We're just a little place, but that's what we're doing." Dharma Seed began in 1983 when a volunteer at Insight Meditation Center (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts, began taping the dharma talks and meditation instructions offered there. His small project soon grew into a separate nonprofit organization, and Dharma Seed Tape Library began to spread the seeds of the dharma to the world by selling audiotapes of teachings. The original mission was simply to "preserve and share the dharma," which Dharma Seed continues to do today—with one critical change: The teachings are now offered based on the principle of dana, or the Buddhist practice of generosity. More »
