The 38 Ways to Happiness :- Generosity (6)

Blessing Fifteen:
Generosity

 

F. RESULTS OF GIVING
F.1 Speed of Outcomes
A final point about generosity concerns the reason why some people perform an act of generosity and receive the fruit of their deed immediately. For example, someone is generous and immediately comes into a fortune or is made king or attains enlightenment. What is the reason? There is an additional factor in the performance of generosity which influences the swiftness with which the merit will give its fruit. If you look at the set of teachings ‘the giving of a noble one’ (Sappurisadāna Sutta A.iii.172) you will find the answer. The Buddha taught that a noble man will give:

1.    with faith (i.e. with full faith in the favourable outcome of a good deed): will bring the giver wealth, attractive and trustworthy appearance with a good complexion;
2.    with respect: will bring the giver wealth and endowment with obedient children, spouse and servants;
3.    at the correct time; will bring the giver wealth and the wishes of the giver will come to fruition without delay;
4.    with the thought to help the recipient; will bring the giver wealth and higher enjoyment of the pleasures of the senses;
5.    without coming into conflict with yourself or others: will bring the giver wealth and protection of possessions from fire, flood, misappropriation by tax-collectors, theft and exhortation by enemies of malevolent heirs.

F.2 Difference of fruit by difference of gift type
Whenever we do generous deeds, we reduce the influence of greed in the mind; however the degree of the reduction will depend on the purity of the gift, the intention, the recipient and the giver. Apart from these factors, the fruits of our giving are also influenced by the type of thing we offer is. Take the example some examples of offerings. The first five come from the Kiṃdada Sutta (S.i.32) — see table below.

Table 15.1: The meritorious fruits of various sorts of generosity

Offering	Example	Fruit
giving food	meal for monks	long-life, bright complexion, good health, strength, quick wittedness
giving cloth or clothing	robes for monks	good complexion
giving transport	vehicles, shoes, a lift, bus/train fare	happiness
giving light	candles, lanterns, fuel oil	outstanding eyesight
giving shelter	a place for the night, a building	everything!
giving permanent property	buildings, trees	long-life, strength, security of personal property
time-limited giving	receiving guests, those preparing to travel, first harvest	wishes will come true, lack of difficulty in times of shortage
forgiving, giving life	forgiving others, extending the life of condemned animals, releasing fish	long-life
giving knowledge	a lecture, needed advice	intelligence, easy attainment of wisdom

 

 Therefore, if ever you have the opportunity to cultivate generosity, never let the opportunity pass by unanswered. Sometimes we think of waiting until we are more ready, but often if we wait until everything is ready, the opportunity is gone.

 

 

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