One of the Great Attributes or Accomplishments of the Bodhisattvayana is Perfect Generosity, also known as Dana Paramita. Like all of the Paramitas, it signifies the end result of Practice, as well as the means or method of Practice. In other words, we perfect Generosity or Conduct or Concentration by practicing those very attributes. So, one could say that when the Bodhisattva gives rise to the Bodhi Mind and undertakes the Path of Awakening with the altruistic motivation to deliver all sentient beings, one has already Perfected the methods, even as one undertakes them.
One of the ways generosity helps us develop our character, is that it reduces selfishness or greed. As Greed is one of the Root “poisons” in Buddhism, This is a vital practice for Awakening.
Generosity can be generally understood as simply the willingness to give, but in Buddhism, there are specific ways in which giving can be expatiated.
One such way is considering generosity in the Threefold way of Body, Speech, and Mind. Further consideration divides generosity into Three divisions of Wealth, Fearlessness, and Dharma. So in other words, we could, as an example, give of the body (physical) of actual goods or food , shelter or money, and physical labor, (Wealth). We could extend Generosity through speech, as in good words, encouragement, or comfort. And finally, we show Generosity of the Mind by generating the altruistic Intention of Bodhi, offering the Dharma through Right View, Self-Cultivation, and actual Instruction of the True Way to all Sentient Beings.
In the Tibetan Tradition, generosity is divided into four categories:
1. Artha - Giving of resources ( food, clothing, shelter, money, energy, time, sharing one's relationships and acquaintances)
2. Maitri - Giving of loving kindness
3. Pala - Giving of protection, encouragement, enthusiasm
4. Dharma - Giving of wisdom and compassion teachings and practices
From this simple survey, one can see that the Perfection of Generosity goes well beyond a mere act of sharing a bite of food, or the willingness to loan ones car to a friend. We must consider Generosity in a very deep and subtle way.
When perfected, we have mastered our own actions, and brought down the wall of dualistic thinking, seeing all beings as oneself.
There is giving of both "inner and outer wealth. Outer wealth includes one's country, wife, and children. The Sutras abound with stories of people giving up their wives and children. A few years ago, a laywoman also resolved to give up her husband, but nobody wanted him! From this you can see that a husband is not that easy to give away. Inner wealth refers to one's own head, brain, eyes, marrow--parts of one's own body." (EDR V 212)
"What is meant by the giving of Dharma. It is to speak the Dharma to benefit living beings, to teach and transform all living beings by explaining the Buddhadharma for them. Of all offerings, the Dharma-offering is supreme. . . ." (DFS II 132)
Good man, amongst all offerings, the Offering of Dharma is most supreme. This is the offering of cultivating according to the teachings, the offering of benefiting living beings, the offering of gathering in living beings, the offering of standing in for living beings who are undergoing suffering, the offering of diligently cultivating good roots, the offering of not renouncing the karma of the Bodhisattva and the offering of never forsaking the Bodhi mind. (UW 59)
"If someone encounters a frightening experience and you comfort them and deliver them from distress and terror, you have made a gift of fearlessness." (EDR V 215)
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