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Topic Summary

Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: June 16, 2019, 09:34:53 AM »

Boundaries (of giving) and Buddhism

Quote from: Nyom Sarah at BSE
Further to this question . Do Buddhists adhere to the Western concept of “Boundaries” to protect oneself? Or is the creation of boundaries an obstacle to enlightenment because of its avoidance of future suffering? Are we called to give of ourselves without bounds, even to those without gratitude for our service? How does this apply to emotional, financial, and service to others with our time?

Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.

  _/\_  _/\_  _/\_

Venerable fellows,

In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community  _/\_ , my person to share a question and investigate it. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.

Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,

 *sgift*

- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -

Householder Sarah, interested,

"Do Buddhists adhere to the Western concept of “Boundaries” to protect oneself?", was asked: No, not a little do faithful followers adhere to modern and western concepts of protection. The only but firm uphold boarder and protection is Sila and what ever can be given in this frame, would be given. Meaning not harming others with ones gift and not harming oneself by violating the precepts. That's the border, the protection of the wise to be open to let go and give without limits.

Sarah's first question met the parami (Perfection: qualities that lead to awakening) metta & kanti , this here is about the pāramī generosity , which comes after reaching integrity and before, as an outward practice, the path.

The path of the Noble Ones is gone to get out of all boundaries and the more one is able to give and share, abounds all kinds of macchariya, the more one would be able to gain access, path and fruits. For one incapable to let go of stinginess not even Jhana can be accepted .

To avoid disadvantages, like no proper use of ones gifts, the wise encourage to give in the five proper seasons , leaded by virtuous people who stick to precepts (good Brahmans, monks, the Sangha). Giving to ordinary people, for the most, is a matter of duty and gratitude (Sila) in ones relation that one wishes to maintain.

When it is said "Let one not neglect one's own welfare for the sake of another, however great. Clearly understanding one's own welfare, let one be intent upon the good.", it puts exactly there, since there is no benefit and good for oneself aside doing merits, letting go. Generosity is ones help, Sila the boundary that protects one for harm oneself.

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

`When a house is on fire
the vessel salvaged
is the one that will be of use,
   not the one left there to burn.`

`So when the world is on fire
with aging and death,
one should salvage [one's wealth] by giving:
   what's given is well salvaged.`

`What's given bears fruit as pleasure.
What isn't given does not:
   thieves take it away, or kings;
   it gets burnt by fire or lost.`

`Then in the end
one leaves the body
together with one's possessions.
Knowing this, the intelligent man
enjoys possessions & gives.`

`Having enjoyed & given
in line with his means,
   uncensured he goes
   to the heavenly state.` 

When ever thought appear "oh, when I give this, that could be for my disadvantage", then act against the defilement, when ever possible.

Stingy people are really poor people, sitting and rowf, rowf!

Here are Suttas on Generosity and western and modern people, although they call them Buddhist, yet not even able to practice Dana, are stingy and without basic faith, so association with those can be of lot harm. When their sometimes talk fine, then it's just talk, never having practiced.

A real Buddhist, one who has reached stream , is free of macchariya.

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

`"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones lives at home with an awareness cleansed of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, openhanded, delighting in being magnanimous, responsive to requests, delighting in the distribution of alms.`
Quote from: SN 55.32


It's up to oneself whether using the Tripple Gems to feed on them or to give into it by letting go, up to oneself making oneself a stingy misser, or a mighty Deva or Beyond.

Your choices are yours, merits and those which are demerits. No one can force you either to wise actions nor to foolish. But it's good to associate with generous and virtuous one, as one learns fast in this way, is not guided upwardly.

Less are those working, acting for their welfare and stick to merits, so be quick or you have lost another time, losing what you hold on later on anyway, left with stinginess alone gaining a poor an misery existence, one after another. Wise are headed upwardly here and now and later on.

May all spend a blessed and meritfull Fullmoon-Uposatha tomorrow and a devoged fwthrsday today.

A nice story at least, but not last: Your Temple, your palace and your borders

Anumodana punna kusala