Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

problem with charity

mfranzdorfmfranzdorf Veteran
edited March 2012 in Buddhism Basics
One thing that I seem to have a problem with is being charitable. I'm not sure that I give enough. I donate almost all of my clothes and un-needed furniture and appliances to the local shelter, but when it comes to monetary donations I feel like I stumble. I give some to the local radio station for their Christmas for kids thing and volunteer some time to local causes, but I have a hard time parting with money. I don't have a lot of extra, but there is always some. I know that there are those that could use it way more than me. I've thought about doing random acts of generosity type things, like offering to pay for somebody's groceries that is in my line, buying some food and dropping it off at the shelter, things like that. What do some of you folks do? I'm not the kind to just write a check and send it off to an organization. Thanks for any ideas. I feel greedy sometimes when it comes to money, and I'd like to end that suffering that comes with it.

Comments

  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    So this is coming from a Muslim perspective so bear with me : charity isn't just money...its good deeds, period. As a matter of fact, you can be extremely charitable without giving a dime.

    My perspective on charity :loving kindness, a smile, consoling a friend, family member or stranger, donating time to help another, tutoring or teaching someone a skill, feeding an animal, sewing or using your talents to assist, volunteering, cooking a few meals or a large one and going by a fire department or er department and dropping it off

    Everyone needs charity or your loving kindness....not just those in need.

    But you seem like someone who would benefit from volunteering your time...maybe a big brother's group or cub scouts or ...aren't you a cop? How about dare?
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Your view as most everyone's view of charity circles around money.

    That's myopic.

    See charity as kindness for yourself, your friends and family, and stranger...everytime you give your full attention to something, it shines, basking in your awareness....

    My two posts on your thread is my charity towards you...nothing grand...no money.

    You can't solve the suffering caused by money and lack of. You can't solve all of the suffering, but if someone ASKS of you and you can give...then it's your responsaility.

    If you don't have it or can't give, then do good deeds for them.
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    So this is coming from a Muslim perspective so bear with me : charity isn't just money...its good deeds, period. As a matter of fact, you can be extremely charitable without giving a dime.
    From the perspective of many Buddhists also. ;)
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    @bonsaidoug that makes me happier than you realize as my beliefs are important to me and I'm finding out that many core aspects of Buddhism mesh so well...thank you!
  • mfranzdorfmfranzdorf Veteran
    Ok, I get what you are saying, and I understand. I just feel guilty sometimes.

    @Lady_Alison Thank you. I'll focus on the goodness of what I do give instead of questioning myself over it. :thumbup:
  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Why do you have guilt? If it's because you want to give more than you've got...that's compassion. If it's guilt over greediness, you should only give (in the case of money) out of the excess of what is left.

  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Just give what you can. Not what you should or could.

    sometimes it's about what you CAN and CAN'T do...
  • BonsaiDougBonsaiDoug Simply, on the path. Veteran
    edited March 2012
    @bonsaidoug that makes me happier than you realize as my beliefs are important to me and I'm finding out that many core aspects of Buddhism mesh so well...thank you!
    "Dana" is the Pali term for giving (generosity and charity) and it is a core part of Buddhism. It not only includes the giving of material support to those in need, but also includes the giving of spiritual knowledge to those in despair, the giving of love to those who are abandoned, and giving of protection to those who are threatened.

    So money is certainly not the only way to be "charitable." One must also remember that the motivation for giving is as important as the actual act of giving.

    The Six Perfections in Buddhism:
    Dana paramita, perfection of giving
    Shila paramita, perfection of discipline
    Kshanti paramita, perfection of patience
    Virya paramita, perfection of exertion
    Dhyana paramita, perfection of meditation
    Prajna paramita, perfection of wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.