Spirit of Giving

Why support a retreat center?

True, generosity is a very good quality. Philanthropy is a universal value. This is certainly expressed in the teachings of the Buddha - generosity is one of the central practices of spirituality.

For followers on the spiritual path, the importance of cultivating a spirit of giving cannot be overstated. "Giving" is a very fundamental practice; it is the first step towards practicing detachment. Three types of giving are practiced in Buddhism: material giving, giving of Dharma and giving protection from fear.

The objects of generosity also determine the benefit to the giver, as briefly explained by Rinpoche in a recent interview. The object of quality - the Three Jewels - brings the most benefit; it supports Dharma practitioners, especially meditators, who in turn benefit many others as a result of their practice.

For the giver who aspires to freedom from ordinary fears, giving is a way to learn how to let go of the things which cause those fears - the things outside ourselves to which we cling. These are usually things which, being impermanent, we fear to lose such as wealth, belongings, time, etc. These are also the things through which we often define ourselves and reinforce our ego. Fear of losing these things binds us more fiercely to samsara through the five emotional poisons, but the act of giving helps us let go of our attachments.

Giving also helps us accumulate merits. For ordinary practitioners, accumulating merit is an indispensable means to overcoming obstacles. They act as an important umbrella of protection from obstacles along the spiritual path. This is why the Path of Accumulation precedes all other stages of spiritual progress. Among the means to accumulate merits, giving is obviously a straightforward one.

In the Great Vehicle teachings, for those who aspire to dedicate themselves to helping all sentient beings, "giving" is placed as the first of the Six Paramitas (perfections in generosity, moral discipline, patience, joyous effort, mental concentration and transcendental wisdom). The success in each preceding paramita is more or less the prerequisite of the success in the one that follows. Your depth of detachment increases as you progress in order of the Six Paramitas until you eventually attain enlightenment. But it all begins with giving; without a genuine practice of "giving", liberation is but wishful thinking.

Even on the level of aspirations, a spirit of giving helps us generate Bhodichitta - the altruistic wish to attain enlightenment in order to help all sentient beings. This is an essential part of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Through giving, we are sharing what we have for the benefit of others, and sharing is the fundamental quality of Bhodichitta.

Of all kinds of giving, tangible or non-tangible, giving that helps support the continuance and spread of Dharma is the most fruitful of all. Without Dharma, we are deprived of the vehicle that carries us over the sea of samsara to ultimate happiness. More practically, without Dharma, we are deprived of a means to build a peaceful world for ourselves and future generations.

The benefit of giving comes from the act itself, regardless of the amount given. With proper motivation, the merit of giving one penny by a beggar may equal that of giving a relatively large amount by a millionaire - the mind determines the effect.

How can one keep a drop of water from drying? Put it in the ocean! Thus, we cannot distinguish between the supporter and the supported.

Ever since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni the preservation and sharing of Dharma have been made possible through collaborative efforts of two contributing groups: the lineage holders and patrons of Dharma. Together they are like two wings of a bird - take away one and the bird cannot fly.

This is why H.E. Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche calls forth the support of everyone connected to him in establishing Mahamudra Hermitage. The support will continue the teaching of a precious spiritual lineage and will be of long term benefit to the world today and for generations to come.

Let us all share this noble cause and receive the merit of making this a reality.