Keyword #12 Dāna

Generosity, giving

Dear EL Reader,

I hope this letter finds you well—in body, mind, and spirit. During my time away from our online correspondence, I focused on a professional upgrade. Today, I return with wonderful news: I have been awarded a position in Chinese language and culture at the lyceum here in Italy. With more time now to devote to writing, I am delighted to resume my correspondence with you.

As we discuss writing, the gift of writing, today’s keyword will be “dāna.” Let’s begin with an exploration of this term across four Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: dāna दान

Pāli: dāna

Chinese: bùshī 布施

Tibetan: sbyin pa སྦྱིན་པ་

Definition

Frequently translated as “generosity” or “giving,” dāna is a key element of ethical practice for both lay and monastic individuals. Selfless acts of giving facilitate a detachment from material wealth and play a crucial role in strengthening the Buddhist community. Dāna acts as a preliminary measure in the pursuit of moral refinement, fostering the generation of favorable karma. The act of dāna serves as a crucial stepping stone for future abundance and enhances one’s evolution towards enlightenment.

Significance

In Buddhist thought, dāna encompasses more than basic charitable actions; it underpins the very essence of ethical living. Dāna enables individuals to let go of their attachments. In the Anupūrvikathā, known as “Graduated Discourse,” the Buddha highlights dāna as the essential beginning for the training of lay followers. Understanding generosity is essential before exploring the teachings on proper behavior (S. śīla) and the joys of being reborn in heaven (S. svargakathā). This sequence reinforces the notion that generosity serves as the foundation for moral practice. Dāna can be classified into three distinct types: material gifts (S. āmiṣadāna), the gift of fearlessness (S. abhayadāna), and the gift of religious teachings (S. dharmadāna). The practice of dharmadāna, which translates to “giving the teachings,” is considered the most esteemed among these, as it contributes to liberation from saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and death.

As time went on, dāna emerged as a structured practice, especially within the Mahāyāna, where it holds the position of the first of the six perfections (S. ṣaḍ-pāramitā) on the bodhisattva path. Here, the term dāna-pāramitā, or the “perfection of generosity,” denotes the practice of offering freely. One prominent illustration of this concept is the tale of Prince Vessantara, a bodhisattva who relinquishes his kingdom, children, and wife, showcasing his profound selflessness through these actions. This tale, found in the Avadāna and Jātaka writings, resonates throughout Buddhist communities, representing a standard of ultimate generosity and showcasing how much one can sacrifice for the good of others.

Buddhist writings present alternative accounts that depict dāna as an expression of altruistic behavior. One famous story recounts how the Buddha, in a previous life as a bodhisattva, donates his own body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs, serving as an example of dehadāna, or “gift of the body.” These narratives convey the karmic benefits of giving, emphasizing that selfless acts generate merit for future lives. Within these narratives, dāna plays a dual role as ethical guidance and moral inspiration, linking the act of generosity to the nurturing of compassion, wisdom, and the attainment of liberation. The central idea is that by engaging in selfless giving, individuals transform themselves in a way that aligns with the Buddha’s insights into non-attachment.

In summary, dāna illustrates the core value of generosity in Buddhism. Through narratives of extraordinary sacrifice, dāna exemplifies how the Buddhist path connects ethical growth with the cultivation of wisdom and compassion.

Thank you for being here today. I’ll see you soon.

All the best,

Martino