Giving without Wealth (Mid-week Message)

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

Giving without Wealth

June 5, 2013

Internet memes are dangerous, especially when you can’t track down their source!  That said, I wanted to share with you a little article that has been circulating in the Chinese blogosphere and facebook posts for a couple of years that I think is really thought-provoking.

It purports to be a dharma teaching of the Buddha, though again, I can’t find any source, either in Chinese or English.  Here is my translation: 

“There was a person who complained to the Buddha: “No matter what I do, I fail.  Why?”  The Buddha said: “Because you never give alms!”  The person replied: “But I am a poor person with absolutely nothing to my name!”  The Buddha explained: “Wrong! Even if you do not have wealth, you can give seven kinds of alms!”

1.  The Alms of a Peaceful Face:  Showing others a peaceful face and a happy visage is a gift.

2. The Alms of Words: To say good things to others is a gift.  Storing up good in your heart, produces good deeds, and these produce a good person whose speech expresses that goodness, and encourages others to conscientious action.

3. The Alms of the Heart: A heart that can put itself into someone else’s place, this is a gift of the heart that can be given to all sentient beings.

4. The Alms of the Eye:  Using compassion and kindness to perceive others.

5. The Alms of the Body: Using your bodily strength to assist others.

6. The Alms of a Place to Sit:   Giving your seat to others who need it more.

7.  The Alms of Observation: Being able to discern someone else’s heart even without asking, this is the gift of making other’s lives easier by giving them what they need.

If you can personally give these seven alms, then improvement is possible in this life.  Life is suffering:  There are burdens, an evil side to human nature, and bullying all around.  But in the end, all these can work for my good.   Suffering can actually turn out to be a blessing. Life, again and again, is not perfect.  But at last it will always be perfect.”

Alms-giving is not an exclusive privilege reserved for those who have money, but the choice to get involved by people who have hearts!

Think about the point—our giving should not be dependent upon our over-abundance but rather on our generosity.  It should come naturally from the heart and include all the gifts we are able to give. We mustn't beat up on ourselves for not giving what we do not have....  

And anyone who might be able to track the source down for me, let me know.  I can send you the text in Chinese if that helps….   

Grace and Peace, 

Fr. Tony+