generosity: the first of the six perfections in mahayana buddhism

SMALL SCOPE

precious human rebirthCORRECTLY RELYING ON A TEACHER

MIDDLE SCOPE

GREAT SCOPE

what needs to be overcome

aspiration

practices of that scope

what needs to be overcome

aspiration

practices of small scope

future lives happinessmanifest negative

afflictions

refuge & 10 virtuous actions

what needs to be overcome

aspiration

practices of middle scope

liberation from samsaraafflictions that are the

root

3 higher trainings

what needs to be overcome

aspiration

practices of great scope

enlightenment for others welfare

subtle imprints left by the afflictions

6 perfections & 4 means

Generosity

Ethics

Patience

Joyous Effort

Concentration

Wisdom

gen

ero

sity what is it?

why give?

how to give

how not to give?

What is the nature of generosity? It is the

intention accompanying bodhisattvas'

disinterested non-attachment to all their

possessions and their body, and, motivated by

this, the physical and verbal actions of giving the

things to be given.

Bodhisattva Levels, LRCM II, p. 115

If the perfection of generosity Were the alleviation of migrating beings’ poverty, Then since there are still starving migrating beings, In what manner did the previous Protectors perfect it?

Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds vs 5.9

The perfection of generosity is taught to be

The mind intending to give all things,

As well as its result, to all beings;

Hence it is simply the mind.

Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds vs 5.10

Therefore, the physical and verbal aspects of

generosity are not the main thing; the main thing

is the mental aspect.

Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115

this is because you perfect generosity after you

destroy your stingy clinging to all that you own -

your body, resources, and roots of virtue

Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115

and you completely condition your mind to

giving them away to living beings from the

depths of your heart

GIVINGmaterial things

KARMIC RESULTS

material things

GIVINGDharma

KARMIC RESULTS• your mind continuously improves• in the future you will easily gain realisations

GIVINGprotection

KARMIC RESULTS• long and healthy life• free from anxiety & fear

What if we decide to give something to others, and then use it for ourselves: is this stealing?

why give?

Meditate on the faults of holding

onto things and the benefits

of giving them away

Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115

“Not wanting to share is the root of many problems

throughout the world – from small scale arguments to

murder and warfare.” Geshe Sopa, Steps on the Path to

Enlightenment, Volume III, p. 258

The wise praise giving wealth away,Childish persons like to hoard it;No wealth is kept by holding on to it;From giving it away excellence always arises.

Compendium of perfections, LRCM II, p. 117

Body, life and resources

fluctuate like water gushing

down a steep mountain.

Lama Tsongkhapa, middle lamrim

resources

body

merits

Geshe Sopa, Steps on the Path to

Enlightenment, Volume III, p. 262

•Result is attainment of nirvana•We want

emancipation•We have to give up

all of it in the end anyway

By abandoning and giving away attachment to all, I can

pass to the sorrowless state,

And my mind achieves the non-abiding sorrowless state

(the state of omniscient mind).

Since I [have to] give up everything all together (which is

similar to that)

It is supreme to give it away to the sentient beings,

because that way buddhahood is attained.

Shantideva, Bodhisattva’s Deeds

gen

ero

sity what is it?

why give?

how to give

how not to give?

gen

ero

sity who to give to

motivation for giving

how to give

things to give

(1) focus on purpose“based on this I will complete the perfection of generosity, a precondition for unexcelled enlightenment”

(2) focus on the thing to be given“the material things I’m giving belong to others”

(3) focus on the recipient“they are my teachers since they help me complete the perfection of generosity”

“the giver must

compassionately make

gifts”

practicing generosity with

the six supremacies

supreme basis

give after generating abodhicitta motivation

supreme things

gift should be of the bestpossible quality

supreme aim

for the sake of theirimmediate happiness andultimate benefit

supreme skilful means

conjoin the action with thewisdom realising emptiness

supreme dedication

dedicate the virtue tosupreme enlightenment

supreme purity

give with the wish to be freefrom the two obscurations

Golden Light Sutra, chapter 18

how not to give

a motivation …

that believes in the

supremacy of wrong views

a motivation …

that is arrogant

a motivation …

for getting praise or

fame

a motivation …

of discouragement

a motivation …

in which you turn your back on someone

a motivation …

of expecting something

in return

a motivation …

of expecting something

in return

MENTAL OFFERING2.5 Lakes and pools adorned with lotuses And the beautiful cry of wild geese, Everything unowned Within the limitless spheres of space;

2.6 Taking these with my mind, I offer them To the supreme beings, the Munis, as well as their Sons

Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds

Bodhisattva vows related to generosity

Root vow 2: Even though you are able, not

giving material aid to others through miserliness; or not teaching Dharma to those who are suffering and without a protector because you want to amass knowledge just for yourself.

Bodhisattva vows related to generosity

Secondary vows 1-7: (1) Not making daily

offerings of the three doors to the Three Jewels (2) without trying to oppose your greed or dissatisfaction with what you have, following the mind that strives to accumulate more.

[see FPMT booklet for more]

Tantric pledges related to generosity

Ratnasambhava: to counteract stinginess,

pride & arrogance - the samaya of giving material things, giving Dharma, giving protection & giving love.[see FPMT booklet for more]

As long as people still value self-sacrifice and extend a helping hand to one another, life on this earth will always have meaning. ”

“

Moral virtue is effectively a barrier that prevents people from abusing or destroying each other’s material and spiritual wealth.

”

“

Your supremely generous right hand dispels thehunger and thirst of the hungry ghosts;

practice of generosity

Generating in various ways the intention to give

Steadily increasing this generosity

Even though you may not be actually giving away something to others

Abiding in the mind of a Bodhisattva

Beautifying with light this excellent base,

The Joyful, like a water crystal jewels,

Destroys and overcomes all heavy darkness.

Chandrakirti, Engaging in the Middle Way

Images:

Music:

“Give Freely” By The X-Structure

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