The Power of Giving
It is such a simple statement; ‘It is Better to Give than to Receive’. Let’s take a closer look at this saying by starting with the term ‘Receiving’.
In our life, we are likely to receive something all the time, be it material gift, moral support, love, forgiveness, compassion, sympathy or kindness. It would be because of a ‘need’ or a ‘want’, though not necessary so all the time. If it is a ‘need’, we hope we can one day return this favor to someone more in need than us. If it is a ‘want’, let’s hope that we will be satisfied with what we have received and be thankful for it. Let’s hope that it will not develop into more greed and ‘wants’ which could spiral into more suffering later on.
We are also likely to give most days, big or small in our little ways. Beside material gifts, we give love, we forgive, we tolerate, we show compassion and kindness when it is needed, we share in the joy of success of our family members and friends and hopefully, strangers too. The list can be endless. In big or small dosage, the amount we give will depend on the moment and how well endorsed we are with these virtues. The power of giving should come from a selfless act, from the heart; give because we truly care.
In ordinary humans, all good and bad values are not mutually exclusive of each other, they grow or shrink in tandem depending on the state of our mind. How much of it is ingrained is dependent on the accepted norms we are brought up to believe in, the genetic makeup of the individual, and of course, for good desired virtues, through the continuous cultivation and practices of these values.
The Christian faith emphasized Love, just as God love us all, so too should each individual give their unconditional love to all human beings through the love of God.
The Buddhists too, also emphasized the importance of Love. The first virtue of the Four Pillars of Brahma (though not strictly a Buddhist doctrine) to cultivate is this value. The Loving Kindness sutta teaches us how to practice this value too, how to love and how to give love to others.
The Mahayanist emphasized Compassion, the active aspect of Wisdom. It is about an act of giving so as to be able to save others. We, of course also have to cultivate the value of Sympathetic Joy, the opposite of envy. It is a value that is characterized by one’s ability to share in the joy of other people success. It comes after compassion and is considered more difficult to cultivate. In the process of these cultivations, the self is diminished and with it the bias habits in us too. The mind opens up and equanimity set in.
As our wisdom, both worldly and transcendental increases, the day will come when we will be able to let go of the self, look at things through the eyes of an enlightened mind and selflessly continue to give our all and assist all sentient beings to the stage of enlightenment.
One must be able to Accept before Receiving or Giving. One must be able to Love Thyself before able to Love Others. The Power Of Giving comes from The Heart, From the Heart radiate The Power Of Love.
Blessed Be, Oceanos
Bible said it's better to give than to recieve. I think bible did state that.
Originally posted by -StarDust-:Bible said it's better to give than to recieve. I think bible did state that.
Which verse ?? dun come here without a verse quoted in mind ..this is buddhism wisdom bliss not your uncle forum
Originally posted by -StarDust-:Bible said it's better to give than to recieve. I think bible did state that.
The concept of giving in Buddhism and Christianity are totally different. The concept of giving in Christianity is hoping to receive more in return by giving. Watch the below video clip of Pastor Kong Hee preaching 30,60,100 fold return. In Buddhism, we give without the thought of hoping in return, talk less about 30, 60, 100 folds return. This is called genuine giving and without hoping in return, you will see the power of giving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efuRZyCl1kc&feature=related
Originally posted by bohiruci:
Which verse ?? dun come here without a verse quoted in mind ..this is buddhism wisdom bliss not your uncle forum
See the below verse :
If I'm not wrong is Matthew 19:29 :
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
I think there are many other verses in the bible preaching 100 folds return. This is a very different preaching of giving from Buddhism.
My few cents.. it is indeed good to give and it is good to receive. When we give, we shall give with a pure mind. When we receive a gift, we can receive it happily and with appreciation. Without a recipent, giver and gift.. there will be no act of giving and no opportuntity for one to practise generosity.
This is just my opinion. I'm not a christian but i feel in other chapters of the bibles, the bible also teaches people to give through the basis of love and virtues, to serve and help the poor etc. And i'm sure in the other parts of the bible, it is also taught that one shouldn't commit evils.. one does not practise give give give and still commit evil at the same time.
Originally posted by Isis:My few cents.. it is indeed good to give and it is good to receive. When we give, we shall give with a pure mind. When we receive a gift, we can receive it happily and with appreciation. Without a recipent, giver and gift.. there will be no act of giving and no opportuntity for one to practise generosity.
This is just my opinion. I'm not a christian but i feel in other chapters of the bibles, the bible also teaches people to give through the basis of love and virtues, to serve and help the poor etc. And i'm sure in the other parts of the bible, it is also taught that one shouldn't commit evils.. one does not practise give give give and still commit evil at the same time.
In short, Giving must come Purely from the Heart. Mind can never be Pure if the Heart is not Pure. The Power Of Giving Transcend All Religions You need not be a Christian neither a Buddhist nor a Taoist to be able To Give, To Receive, To Love, To Share Unconditionally. All Religions Preaches Good, It is Individual whether to adhere to the Teachings & practise it in their daily Life. Evil grow from the Heart not the Mind, throgh the Mind it become an Act.
Blessed Be, Oceanos