What
are the 3 kinds of Buddhist
Gifts?
Three kinds of gift are
mentioned in Buddhism, namely:
1: Amisa
dāna: The gift of material things,
2:
Abhaya dāna: The fearless gift of life,
3:
Dhamma dāna: The gift of real Truth...
Amisa
dāna:
– or the gift of material things is practised 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 & the yearning of the thirsty.
This type of donation is highly recommended in Buddhism and
is called the Amisa
dāna. (The donation of
material things).
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.
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
comparable.
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
other Gifts.
The flavour of Dhamma surpasses all other flavours.
The
delight in Dhamma surpasses all other delights.
He who has destroyed craving overcomes all sorrow.
Dhammapada 354
Most Gods actually became Divine Beings as a
result of Giving!
More on Generosity (Dāna)
= The 1st mental perfection:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Glad_Giving.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_3_Gifts.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Kathina_Ceremony.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/caaga.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Generosity_Contemplation.htm
Sumedha - the young millionaire - gives
away all his property!
Source:
Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero http://www.buddhist-book.com
Singapore
