The right way of giving

There is a story such:

In the small coconut shop, a young girl asked the old-man-seller: “How much for one coconut?”

The old man replied: “10 dongs, young lady”

The girl bargained: “I want 15 dongs for two, or I will go to another shop!”

The poor man’s voice down: “Take it, I’ll lose on it but you are the handsel till now”.

The young girl took the coconuts and went away with the winner feeling. She and other two friends jumped into the car and went to a luxurious restaurant. At there, they ordered a lot of food but took only very few. When paying for the bill the young girl left a generous tip for the waiter and restaurant"s management.

It’s fine to tip for a good service or just instead of thanks but the girl’s act in the restaurant and in the coconut shop has some conflict…a bit sad in me.

Why do people grab just a small cash from the poor people but show some generous giving to the adequate one, who don’t need such giving? It leads me to further thinking.

This concerns about the way of giving in our life. The giving meaning is to share what we have to others to reduce part of their suffering on the loving-kindness spirit of the Buddhist. This is also a chance for us to grow some wholesome seeds and accumulate merit for the liberation path later. People said “the more giving, the more happiness one will get”. The fruit of happiness may not come soon after giving but it’s a pleasant feeling from the happy smiles of the receivers as long as we do with all heart.

 

But how many of us have a pure heart to bring happiness to others? Maybe not much.There’s nothing wrong if we want to show how generous we are in front of others but indeed we should do with a free mind, this is what the Buddha taught. Instead of trying to build a good image in others’ eyes and indulge with we’dbetter pay attention to people around us to give a right time help.By this, you are step by step follow the Buddha’s words.

There are some people take charity as the way to be famous, or for their own interest as profiteers. In fact, some make their own benefit from others’ compassion. Our Master used to say “the flip side of charity is exploitation”.

In the Ekottara-Agama (Mahāyāna scriptures), the Buddha taught: “If a poor person has nothing to give but can rejoice the welfare of others, the merit of rejoicing is equal to the doer, and it’s very easy for everyone to do”. Here the Buddha mentioned about the “rejoicing spirit” and it’s for those who in the bottom of the misery. For those have wealth but don’t want to give, to share, and take the “rejoicing spirit” to cover up their selfishness. The Buddha said what we can give not only the material things but there are many things we totally can give:

· Your facial expression, a pleasant face in communication is a lovely gift we can give.

·Your smiling eyes or an honest seeing looks simple but can save a life in the case of need.

·Your gentle, honest or affable words can give others some encourage, can raise them up, can change a person’s life or give them a hope to begin again…

·Widen out your heart to increase loving-kindness you can do more good things for others.

Indeed, the way we behave to others is the best giving we can offer, just do it honestly, truthfully and completely as you can. This is how we can make happiness for ourselves and others as well as preserve them for future. Giving in the right way helps your life more meaningful and beautiful. All are the simple things we can do in such a contemporary life.

Tam Manh