The eleventh of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Eleventh Gate: Mindfulness of generosity

Mindfulness of generosity is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not expect reward.(Nishijima/Cross)
Mindfulness of giving is a gate of realizing Dharma; it makes you free from wanting a reward. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Give generously of our resources, wealth and knowledge
That we may not expect reward.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Why would mindfulness of generosity remove any expectation of reward?
2. How is generosity different from giving?
3. Why should we not expect a reward?

Capping Verse:
Giving and taking
Empty words
This just gives to this

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Why would mindfulness of generosity remove any expectation of reward?
2. How is generosity different from giving?
3. Why should we not expect a reward?

1. When one is mindful of generosity, it does not allow space for thoughts of reward or selfish thought. To be generous is to be in harmony with the precepts, the Buddha way, the greatest reward.

2. One can be giving without feelings of generosity, just as one can be generous without necessarily giving. One could even take and be generous! One could take away the suffering of another, in whatever form it manifests, and be generous to them in doing so. A husband/wife can be generous with their attention, time, love etc to their partner and/or children.

3. To me, that is a selfish and greedy way to think…

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

Is it truly generosity if one is expecting some sort of reward or reciprocity?


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Shokai]

Nooo!

[Tairin]

Nooo!