„Of all gifts, the gift of Dhamma is the highest.“ - Dhp. XXIV v. 354
Dāna is mainly translated as generosity, the activity of giving without expecting anything in return.
However, as often happens, the real meaning of Buddhist terms goes much beyond their English translation.
Dāna includes not only material offerings, like the four requisites to Bhikkhu and Bhikkhunīs (Robes, Food, Medicine, Shelter), but dāna is also giving time to a person who is in need, donating blood to someone we don't personally know, giving compassionate understanding to those who are struggling, giving love to those who can't give it back to you, and much more.
Because of its breadth, “giving” (dāna) is one of the three meritorious actions that Buddhism identifies as the main sources of one's merit (puñña).
Making merit is crucial in Buddhism, especially for lay practitioners, who, because of their busy life, can hardly find as much time and energy to dedicate to the meditation practice as monastics do. For that reason, they traditionally make merit through generosity (dāna), ethical conduct (sīla) and mind development (bhāvanā).
We gain merit when our wholesome actions are pure, when they come straight from our hearts. Good actions bring good results.
“For the one who gives merit is increased,
From restraint hatred is not accumulated.
The skilful one gives up what is bad,
Through the destruction of passion, hatred,
and delusion, he is emancipated.” - DN 16
Know more about the four material requisites of the monastic:
1) Robes – Bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, according to the Vinaya, cannot store more than 3 robes at a time for their personal use.
For this reason, it is recommended to donate only if it is currently needed by Bhikkhus or Bhikkhunīs.
2) Food – In the original Asian tradition, lay devotees offer food to Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs every morning during the Alms round. This practice is still in use in most of the Asian countries where Theravāda Buddhism is widely practiced (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Burma). Since monastics are not allowed to store food and provide food for themselves, the help of the lay community is fundamental.
3) Medicine – The word “medicine” includes any type of health support. For example, besides medicines from the pharmacy like paracetamol and aspirin, vitamins integrators and rehydration salts, along with natural medicine, and products for personal hygiene can be also included in this section
4) Shelter – The general standard of lodging for the monastic is solitary, silent and simple. It is built in order to neither cause discomfort nor impair health, so a simple bed is allowed to satisfy basic needs. Bhikkhunīs cannot sleep in the same areas as men. It is necessary to have separate buildings in separate zones of the dwelling.
Source: karunasevena.cz
