Baladana Sutta
From TheBuddhism.Net
Once a deity approached Buddha and asked thus:
Kin dado balado hothi – Kin dado hothi wannado
Kin dado sukhado hothi – Kin dado hothi chakkhudo
Yocha sabbadado hothi – Than me akkhahi puchchitho
“By giving what, one gives strength? By giving what, one gives a fair complexion and beauty? By giving what, one gives wisdom? By giving what, one gives everything?”
Buddha answered thus :
Annado balado hothi – Waththado hothi wannado
Yanado sukhado hothi – Deepado hothi chakkhudo
Socha sabba dado hothi – Yo dadathi upassayan
Amathan dadocha so hothi – Yo dhamma manusasathi
“The person who gives food, gives strength.The person who gives clothing, gives a fair complexion and beauty.The person who gives umbrellas and footwear, gives comfort.The person who gives lighted lamps, gives wisdom. The person who gives shelter, gives everything.The person who imparts knowledge of Dhamma, gives ambrosia (the Nibbana).
Thus, Buddha showed that imparting the knowledge of Dhamma is the greatest alms giving.
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Giving of Dharma is the highest form of generosity as per the Buddhist tenets. It is essentially the key to the doorway to liberation. Liberation from what? From the endless suffering of samsara, as depicted in the Four Noble Truth; birth, sick and death, as well as everything in between. If we cannot be the perfect vessel to give Dharma to others, the least we can do is to support such meritorious activities or organisation so that everyone will eventually be free from suffering through the practice of Dharma.
The Buddhists consider gift of Dharma as an excellent knowledge which will lead us to enjoy a good life and help to create a more compassionate, intelligent and peaceful world. Imparting the knowledge of Buddhism is the greatest alms giving and to enrich us with native cultural values.
Short yet very powerful sharing.
Short but very potent 🙂