True Giving In Buddhism

Giving in most cultures and religions is considered as an obligation of altruism and compassion. Despite its universal values in building a more caring and more humane society, giving is understood and interpreted differently from one culture to another, or from one religion to another. True giving in Buddhism is distinct from others in two main aspects: the things to offer and the attitudes of offering.

The first difference is in what people should offer. Buddhism pays more attention to mental sufferings than bodily sufferings, which explains why material gifts ARE necessary but not as valuable as ‘wisdom’ giving. As Buddhists consider all material things are temporary, such offerings as money, food, clothes to meet people’s necessities,
Buddhism advocates of non-self or selfless which explains why gifts are clearly offered to the receivers, but Buddhists practioners have no any distinguishing between the givers, the receivers, or even taking a note to the gifts. Buddhists believe all things are obviously existing, but are not true self. Therefore, when offering, they do not consider them as the sponsors, on the contrary, they regard the receivers as the good supporters for their practice of releasing greed and self-clinging. In Buddhism, self is not defined as it causes suffering to people. That is why, unlike other charity works, true giving in Buddhism is offering “selfless” – to give without expectation of reward from the recipient, including a “thank you” or even ungrateful and derogating remarks. Furthermore, since Buddhists aim to offer the selfishness detachment so the more they give out from the kindness, the more they release from the selfish desire. Offering with the attitude of selfless is obviously the fullest gift in Buddhist belief, as non-self practicing helps people minimize or extinguish the self and avoid desire, and seek understanding the Buddhist