Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

safeinOhio

(34,068 posts)
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 08:20 PM Feb 2021

Buddhism and giving anonymous gifts,,,Like a DU star.

Real Charity

You perform real charity if you can give freely without expecting anything in return.

The essence of true charity is to give something without expecting anything in return for the gift. If a person expects some material benefit to arise from his gift, he is only performing an act of bartering and not charity. A charitable person should not make other people feel indebted to him or use charity as a way of exercising control over them. He should not even expect others to be grateful, for most people are forgetful though not necessarily ungrateful. The act of true charity is wholesome, has no strings attached, and leaves both the giver and the recipient free.

The meritorious deed of charity is highly praised by every religion. Those who have enough to maintain themselves should think of others and extend their generosity deserving cases. Among people who practise charity, there are some who give as a means of attracting others into their religion or creed. Such an act of giving which is performed with the ulterior motive of conversion cannot really be said to be true charity.

The Buddhism views charity as an act to reduce personal greed which is an unwholesome mental state which hinders spiritual progress. A person who is on his way to spiritual growth must try to reduce his own selfishness and his strong desire for acquiring more and more. He should reduce his strong attachment to possessions which, if he is not mindful, can enslave him to greed. What he owns or has should instead be used for the benefit and happiness of others: his loved ones as well as those who need his help.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Buddhism and giving anonymous gifts,,,Like a DU star. (Original Post) safeinOhio Feb 2021 OP
Thank you for this leftieNanner Feb 2021 #1
Do you mean a du heart? left-of-center2012 Feb 2021 #2
yes, i'm old and forgetful safeinOhio Feb 2021 #5
St. Francis: For it is in giving that we receive Irish_Dem Feb 2021 #3
I'm a big fan of St. Francis and St. Clare. safeinOhio Feb 2021 #6
YW! I like St. Clare as well. Irish_Dem Feb 2021 #7
If you ever get to Italy, go to Assisi. safeinOhio Feb 2021 #9
He is also the patron saint of ecology. Irish_Dem Feb 2021 #11
Here you go safeinOhio Feb 2021 #12
It sounds beautiful. Irish_Dem Feb 2021 #13
I worked for 12 years for a non-profit meal delivery org... JoeOtterbein Feb 2021 #4
He didn't need or want his feathers rubbed for doing the right thing. Irish_Dem Feb 2021 #8
Yep JoeOtterbein Feb 2021 #10

leftieNanner

(15,689 posts)
1. Thank you for this
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 08:25 PM
Feb 2021

I had an opportunity to transform a thing I owned into an anonymous gift that helped someone else with a serious life issue.

It was one of the most joyous experiences of my life. And being anonymous was a big part of the gift.

Irish_Dem

(57,309 posts)
3. St. Francis: For it is in giving that we receive
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 08:30 PM
Feb 2021

Here is the whole prayer:

St. Francis PEACE PRAYER

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it's in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born...
To eternal life.
Amen

safeinOhio

(34,068 posts)
6. I'm a big fan of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 09:26 PM
Feb 2021

Assisi Italy was one of my favorite stops in Italy too.

Thank you for the prayer

Irish_Dem

(57,309 posts)
7. YW! I like St. Clare as well.
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 09:35 PM
Feb 2021

Yes I am a big fan of St. F.
That is so neat you have been to Assisi.

The Peace Prayer is my favorite prayer.

safeinOhio

(34,068 posts)
9. If you ever get to Italy, go to Assisi.
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 09:47 PM
Feb 2021

Get to see the 1,000 year old Baptismal vessel that both were Baptized in.
the museum in the basement is worth the trip.
The Saint for the poor and animals.

Irish_Dem

(57,309 posts)
11. He is also the patron saint of ecology.
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 09:52 PM
Feb 2021

Oh wow, you saw the 1,000 year old baptismal of Francis and Clare.
Amazing, just amazing.
And the museum.

Yes I will put it on my bucket list.

JoeOtterbein

(7,787 posts)
4. I worked for 12 years for a non-profit meal delivery org...
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 08:38 PM
Feb 2021

...Every year we would hold an appreciation party for the volunteers. One of our volunteer board-members was always against the idea. Never would go and never accepted any of the many awards he would receive for his devotion to the cause.

He always said it was wrong to accept anything for his valued work. Because being a "volunteer" meant just that, and nothing more or less.

I always respected and admired him more than almost anyone I've ever personally known.

Irish_Dem

(57,309 posts)
8. He didn't need or want his feathers rubbed for doing the right thing.
Sun Feb 7, 2021, 09:39 PM
Feb 2021

This is a high level of moral development.

But volunteers deserve recognition and accolades.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Buddhism»Buddhism and giving anony...