Generosity - Giving Wisely in the Three Fields

              Let's continue to learn about the first paramita of Generosity. So far, we've learned about the benefit of giving and its subsequent positive effect on our lives and our environment.

Original Photo by BK available on Flickr.com

               But -- when you think about it -- is giving really better than just saving it all for yourself? Can it really be proven that sharing is better than being selfish? Well, there may not be exact proof, but let's demonstrate how giving is better in a "sort of" scientific way.

                Back in the olden days, bathtubs were wooden and often in a more round, circular shape.

                 When you're in a bath, you of course want nice, warm water around you to sooth your tension. "Ah, so relaxing..."

Original Photo by Rafael Edwards available on Flickr.com

                         Naturally as you stay longer in the tub, the water around you begins to cool. Your first inclination is to then draw what's left of the remaining warm water toward you. Frantically your hands try to bring in the warmth. "More, more... I want MORE!"

                         However, this action only seems to bring more of the cooler water.

                         In order to receive more warm water, you have to push away the warm water near you. At first, it seems to go against your logic, but sure enough, the warm water is then able to circulate around and come back warmer than before.

*** FYI - if you decide to try this bath tub experiment for yourself, know that it still works the best in wider, round tubs.***

                         You receive more warmth by pushing the water away from you rather than toward yourself. This is the Buddhist concept of Benefiting Others Benefits Yourself.

                         When our greed drives us to only satisfy our own needs, we end up wanting more and more just to satisfy our ever-growing loneliness. But as soon as we begin to share what we have with others, we become more contented with what we have. This is the reason behind why giving is so beneficial.

                         Now that we know that we receive more when we give more, we may be inclined to go out on a giving spree. "Woo Hoo! Here's some money for you... and you..."

Original Photo by elycefeliz available on Flickr.com

Original Photo by Matthew Burpee available on Flickr.com

         

                  

                     







                        Hey there, wait a minute! Not so fast! It's not as simple as it seems...

                        To be wise with your money, you shouldn't direct your most generous donations to just anyone and everyone. If you do that, you will waste what precious resources you have and end up in ruin yourself.

                         Keep in mind, we still must have enough to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. Without being careful and planning our assets, our good intentions of giving could end up causing ourselves and our family financial harm instead.

                         To understand the cause and effect relationship behind an act of generosity, let's reflect on the Law of Cause and Effect one more time.

Good deeds bring good results.

Bad deeds bring bad results.

Your own deeds bring your own results.

                         The three lines above represent universal truth. This means that these words remain true at all times: past, present, and future. They also apply everywhere throughout the entire universe. The Law of Cause and Effect always remains true without even a single exception. 

                          In Buddhism, the term law is not like the legal rules made by man. The laws made to govern a society can differ from country to country and can even change with public opinion over time. Scientific laws can even be altered as new advances in our understanding are made. The Law of Cause and Effect, however, is unchanging, unwavering, and boundless.

                           Let's say you give a few dollars to someone who seems impoverished, but that person secretly has bad intentions with your money. You may think it must then be the fault of the other person and not your own, but if that person uses your kind gift to do bad things it counts as a bad deed for you as well.

Original Photo by David Goehring available on Flickr.com

                         Even if your intentions remain the very best, helping a thief remains wrong. Of course, going out and intentionally committing bad karma is still the worse act between the two. But it's still important to know that when we accidentally or unknowingly do wrong, it still will yield us a form of negative result.

                            If you give a sudden windfall of money to the wrong person, you may be paying them to feed their addiction problem or even to commit crime. Once under the influence of a drug or narcotics, the results can be very dangerous to that person's health.

Original Photo by Roberto Trm available on Flickr.com

                         Now if a criminal receives those funds, the lives of others are then put in peril. No matter how well-intentioned you are, putting others in harm's way, even by your own mistake, can't produce a positive result.

                         Whenever we experience or even see bad results happening in our environment, we should reflect on our own actions to investigate if we ourselves are contributing to those problems in some way. By considering how we directly affect others and the world, we learn how to make better decisions that receive better results for our own future and those around us.

                         Many times we forget that it is our responsibility to decide how best to give the right kind of help to the right person. That's why whenever we give, we must remember to have both wisdom and compassion. It's very important to think deeply if a person or group will use the resources we offer in the same way we intended. 

                           All causes have effects; all effects come from causes. So according to the Law of Cause and Effect, that means human beings, life on Earth, and everything in the universe as we know it all exists together within a continuous chain of interconnected events.

Original Word art by BK available on Flickr.com

                            Since all our actions become causes that will bring us effects down the road, it is wise for us to focus our most generous actions toward the most favorable conditions.

                            A condition is something that assists or helps a cause bring about an effect.

                            Shakyamuni Buddha taught us how to utilize our generosity effectively by a metaphor known as the Three Fields.

                             Each of the Three Fields represent a type of person or group that act as the very best of conditions for us to harvest good effects.

The Three Fields

Field of Respect -  We owe the most gratitude to Amida Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha and true Buddhist masters like Master Shinran. (We will learn more about these important figures in Pure Land Buddhism in future posts.) For now it is important to know that they have all helped guide us toward the true teachings so we can obtain absolute happiness in this life.

                              To those around us who actively dedicate their lives to Buddhism, we must also definitely show our respects. We can offer donations and/or words of gratitude in order to support their continuing activities of sharing Dharma with the world.

                               The role of any good Buddhist teacher is to transmit the truth that is contained within the sutras in a accurate, easy-to-understand way. Even though some who teach Buddhism may appear more prominent to us than others, what remains of most importance is to honor the teachings themselves more than any one person. It is the teachings of Buddhism that we revere the most since they are what contain the truth, a truth that is so rare to find.

Original Photo shared by Wikimedia Commons

                 

                      The Field of Respect also includes people who exhibit the very best qualities of virtue.  They set examples for us to follow by demonstrating exemplary character, morals, and ethics in their everyday lives. 

                      Individuals who perform continual, benevolent actions to help mankind are also worthy of our admiration and support. They include humanitarians from all walks of life. We must respect leaders who have spent their lives working for the common good of mankind and the fair treatment of all peoples.

Field of Gratitude - This field represents people who have done a lot for us in the past, and so in turn, they rightfully deserve our tremendous gratitude.

                  Our parents, whether we like them or not, brought us into this world and cared for us well enough to be alive right now. Our teachers and doctors are also worthy of our gratitude for taking care of us and giving us the knowledge we needed to live healthily. Our family members and even close friends can be there for us in our most difficult times and help us with their loving care and support.

Original Photo by thegoinggreenboutique available on Flickr .com

Original Photo by cybrarian77 available on Flickr.com

Original Photo by Lisa Brewster available on Flickr.com

Original Photo by Terrie Schweitzer available on Flickr.com

                      Whenever others go out of their way to help us, we must show our appreciation. To help us remember to say thanks, Buddhism teaches us that gratitude has three stages.

                         First, we must know what we should be grateful for, then we must feel grateful inside toward the person who offered us that kindness, and then we should repay our gratitude to that person in some special way that honors what they did for us fully.

1.) Knowing Gratitude -  In Japanese, the Chinese character for gratitude is on. On is made up of two pictographs. The top square box means cause; the various four lines below represent mind. 

 恩

                        Now let's explore what the two ideas in this character actually signify. 

                       When we're grateful for getting a gift, we're happy and experience that gift as an effect. This effect has come from a cause that occurred in the past. 

  
 (Friend buys us a gift.)  --->  (We enjoy it.)

Cause -----------> Effect

 
                        When we discover the cause of why we're happy, we realize the gratitude we owe to the person who provided us with that wonderful, happy experience. 

                       So to understand the two concepts together, gratitude is a mind that knows the cause or source of where happiness comes from. 

                         This means that the first stage of gratitude is simply to recognize or remember when others have shared a kindness with us that we enjoyed. 

                        To do this, look around and take in all the things around you that you can be grateful for. There are so many people we can easily forget to thank. Just think all the beautiful flowers in your city must have been tended by a skilful gardener. This person deserves our thanks (even if it's at first just in our mind from afar) for providing us with such a beautiful sight to see.  

Original Photo by Garry Knight available on Flickr.com

                          Consider the people in your life who deserve a lot of gratitude. Remember those times when you were given help right when you needed it the most. Think of people who helped you along the way that you might have forgotten.

2.) Feeling Gratitude -  Once you discover someone or something to be grateful for, allow yourself to really feel inside all the kindness that you received. Always reserve a big space in your heart for this tremendous feeling.

3.) Showing Gratitude - Finally, we must repay that kindness by showing our gratitude in some form of expression. It could be a sincere word of thanks, a gift as a token of appreciation, or a helping hand with a favor they need. A thank-you card or letter is a wonderful way of showing gratitude.

                            Showing our gratitude by saying or doing something nice increases the feeling of thanksgiving in our lives as well as rewards the kind person who helped us so much. Then we can continue to share that same kindness we received to others which expands the feeling of thanksgiving even more. This is what it truly means to "pay it forward."

Field of Compassion - People in the Field of Compassion are in desperate need just to stay alive from either the wages of war, illness or poverty. This field also includes those who lost everything from the devastation of a natural disaster. We must do our best to help young children, the elderly, and disabled persons who are genuinely unable to provide food and shelter for themselves. Even those who face extreme financial ruin from a layoff or long-term unemployment deserve our sympathy.

Original Photo by Jared Polin available on Flickr.com

Original Photo by UNICEF Canada available on Flickr.com

Original Photo by United Nations Photo available on Flickr.com

Photo by MediaStorm (cropped) original available on Flickr.com

                           When someone is in real distress, we must do what we can to help them, whether it's providing them with a loan, making a donation to a worthy cause, guiding them to a substance abuse program, or gifting someone an item that they really need like water, food or clothing.

                             Surprisingly, just offering our hearts and sharing words of encouragement can be a tremendous benefit to people in hard times.

                           Ivan Turgenev is the author of the classic literary work, Fathers and Sons. During difficult years of recession in Russia, Turgenev once had a poor person come knock at his door to beg for alms. But being in the midst of poverty himself, he had nothing tangible to give the beggar who had come all the way to his doorstep.

                             So instead the author firmly embraced the man at his door. Tears fell from his eyes as he said, "Brother, I am so sorry I have nothing to give you."

                             Recalling the occasion many years later, that man said he had never expected to receive a hug from Turgenev.

                            "Never in my life had I received anything as precious as his genuine and giving spirit that day."

Original Word Art by Celestine Chua available on Flickr.com

***

                            Good fortune grows for us as a direct result of our own planting of good seeds. Seeds represent the actions we choose to perform on a daily basis.

                             By planting good actions in each of these Three Fields, a crop of good effects will be able to grow the quickest and yield a better result for us. And before long, those seedlings will surely sprout and then bloom into happiness for us.

                          Now a farmer planting seeds might think he's actually losing because he is giving up his seeds at the time of planting, but once the time of the harvest comes he gets exactly what he planted... and many times over.

                          Understanding the value of giving in no way makes it easier to give. We always remain full of desires known as worldly passions. In Buddhism, it is taught we are made of 108 Worldly Passions. The three main worldly passions are Desire, Anger, and Envy\Ignorance.

                         We can often become way too busy with these desires. Then we start procrastinating and become stingy when it comes down to actually sharing with others or helping them.

                         The Buddha shared a parable about someone who decided to put off giving until later. It's the story of a man whose greed to give became more important than the act of giving itself.

***

                        Once upon a time, a farmer living in the countryside decided to invite a lot of people to his home for a party. 

                        "Hmm, what can I offer everyone that evening?" he thought. "Well, I know I have a cow in the stable, so I definitely should serve fresh milk to drink."

                        The man went over to the cow and began to ponder how much milk the animal could produce for the number of guests he wished to invite.

Original Photo by Sara B. available on Flickr.com

                         "One cow surely can't supply enough milk for everybody. There's just too many people. Now, if I work too hard by storing up all that the milk, it won't be as fresh and is most likely going to go bad before they get here. Hmmm, what to do..."

                           And then the thought struck him.

                           "Ah--HAH! I got the answer! I won't do anything! I'll just keep all the milk INSIDE the cow until the moment I need it!! HAHAHA!! This is brilliant."

                         Soon the day came, and all the guests arrived at his front door.

                         "Welcome, everyone!!! Please take your seats. I'll be right back with some milk! You'll all love the fresh taste!"

                         Everyone became overjoyed with anticipation. Meanwhile, the farmer quickly sped over to the barn and began to squeeze the cow's utters. But not a drop came out.

Original Photo by Dennis Jarvis available on Flickr.com

                           "WHA--?! That's strange!" the farmer gasped. "What on Earth did I do wrong? There isn't any milk coming out at all!"

                          Slumped over from embarrassment, he went back inside to the party and confessed to all his guests that he had made a mistaken calculation. All of them went home very upset and quite disappointed.

                          The Buddha shared an insight with everyone about the farmer's mindset.

                          "I often hear people say they will give plentifully when they become rich," Shakyamuni began. "Such people are just like the farmer in this story. They only dream about giving abundantly in the future without taking the proper steps to give in the current moment. They falsely believe that at some other time they will begin to donate in vast quantities."

                           "Instead their greed continues to endure as the right amount of wealth never seems to quite arrive. For those who think this way, giving thus becomes impossible."

***

                            
                                   A cow delivers fresh milk when it is milked regularly at a moderate pace.

                                   In the same manner, we should be consciously and consistently giving all the time whenever we can. Instead of planning some day to give next week, we should get started right away, today.

                                 Let's do our best to perform wisely-planned good deeds in each of the Three Fields: the Field of Respect, the Field of Gratitude, and the Field of Compassion. As we practice sincere acts of giving toward these three types of individuals, we will become happier and come to know ourselves better as well.

Original Photo by Bill Gracey available on Flickr.com

               
                           Although practicing generosity toward each of the Three Fields is very good for us, there remains one good deed that is the very best -- listening to the teachings of Buddhism.

                             Next time, we will explore the paramita of Generosity - Sharing the Dharma with Family & Friends.

Generosity -- Give the Most from the Heart

              In the last lesson, we learned that the Six Paramitas are Generosity, Accountability, Patience, Effort, Contemplation, and Wisdom. To review, the word paramita means virtue in ancient Sanskrit. These virtues act as bridges toward obtaining absolute happiness.

                But since there are so many kinds of good deeds, we may get lost and then not end up doing any. For this reason, Shakyamuni Buddha condensed all the good deeds we can possibly do into six categories of virtues. Buddha taught us to do any one of them or even two or more if we’re able to.

               In this post, we will learn about the first paramita of Generosity.

Original Photo by Ed Yourdon available on Flickr.com

               This simply means having a charitable mindset toward others but also acting on it. We found out last time the big idea behind Buddhism is for each of us to stop doing evil and to do more good. Being generous toward others is an easy and kind way for us to do this.

Shared Word Art by Celestine Chua available on Flickr.com

               There are two kinds of giving:  Giving Materials or Money and Giving the Teachings of Buddhism. Here we will focus on the first category, Giving Materials or Money. This means helping people and making them happy by giving them something they need. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us that this is a really good thing for us to do for others.

                    However, it's important to note that the real value of giving does not depend on the amount of money or materials. It is all about the intention behind the giving. Let’s get more insight from this historical Buddhist short story.

***

                 Once upon a time there was a poor woman called Nanda. One day she went to listen to Buddha deliver a sermon. The hall was brightly lit with oil lamps that people from all over town had brought as offerings.

Original Photo by Geoff Stearns available on Flickr.com

                 "Oh, how I wish that I could offer a lamp, but I could never get even close as poor as I am," she pondered. "Hmmm... but there has has to be at least something I can do."

                 Nanda was filled with resolve but the high price of oil was a hefty challenge. 

                 Nanda's hair was beautiful, long, and shiny. She decided to sell it in order to raise funds. A compassionate person was willing to buy her locks of hair for a petty amount of money.

                 With this small windfall, she went straight to an oil seller and asked to buy the oil needed for one lamp.

                  “Let me get this straight, you want to buy oil enough for an entire lamp?” the merchant said sheepishly. “Don’t waste my time. Look at this change. It just isn’t enough.”

                  But she begged and pleaded, “Please give me some amount of oil! Anything, please I beg you.”

                  The merchant’s heart began to soften, “Sister, tell me the truth. Why would you want that much oil anyway? You’re poor. I can tell by looking at your clothes made out of rags. You’ve got much better ways to spend this money. Why not save up for a coat or more food for your family?”

                 Then Nanda shared with him the reason she needed the oil. It was so she could offer a lamp to light the hall for the noble Shakyamuni Buddha and his teachings.

                  "A coat may warm me through cold nights, and more food may help me and my family endure a few more days. But the lectures of Shakyamuni Buddha are timeless and help me understand about the crucial matter of my afterlife."

                 "I see. So this is to make an offering?" the merchant thought for a moment and looked upon her compassionately. "Well, in that case I’ll give you a special discount this time."

                 Nanda was overjoyed, "Oh thank you, kind sir! Thank you so much!"

                 It was just one little light among many, but it was the very best that Nanda could offer. Of all the thousand lamps, hers burned the brightest. The other lamps lasted through the night, but in the morning they all had fizzled out. Only Nanda’s kept right on shining.

Original Photo by +rex available on Flickr.com

                  Buddha’s disciple Maudgalyayana tried to put it out, but the wick seemed to keep on relighting. He went to the Buddha to find some kind of an explanation.

                  "What could be the meaning of this, Buddha?"

                   "You lack the power to extinguish the source of that lamp's light," The Buddha began. "You might even pour the waters of the seven seas on that flame, but it would still burn on."

***

                   This sincere donation was all because of the charitable mindset of a poor woman named Nanda. Even suffering from her own miserable poverty, she managed to offer her very best. This story gives to the saying, "One light from a poor person outshines the glow of a rich man’s 10,000 lights."

                    The merit of a gift doesn't depend on its amount. The true abundance of a gift comes from when it is given from all the heart.

                    So let’s open up our hearts and be generous to others. We must also be just as resourceful as Nanda was. Sharing what you have will not only bring its own rewards, but it will continue to shine brightly for you and help light the way through the night. 

                    Here is another historical Buddhist story. This time it is about a rich man who greatly wanted to build a center of Buddhism, but faced tremendous obstacles in order to have it built. 

***

                    During the time of the Buddha, a man by the name of Anathapindika had become delighted listening to the teachings. He greatly wished to build a monastery and so went out on a search to find the perfect spot.

                     He searched long and hard, but it wasn't long before he stumbled upon a beautiful stretch of forest. It was not too far away from the city, but at the same time it wasn't too close to the center of town to be too hectic. It was a beautiful stretch of land with plenty of nature, and there was no sign of any wild beasts or poisonous snakes. 

 

Original Photo by Scott Wylie available on Flickr.com

                    Upon investigating who owned the land, he discovered that it belonged to King Pasenadi's son, Prince Jeta. Anathapindika scurried over to pay him a visit.

                    "You what?" Prince Jeta shouted. "You want to buy my most prized land?"

                     "Yes, your highness" replied Anathapindika. "To build a monastery where people can hear the Buddha preach."

                     "No, no, and no. I do admire your cause, but I'm sorry. It is simply out of the question. That precious land is simply not for sale."

                      "Please, reconsider..." he begged, overflowing with emotion. "Your highness!! This would be to help spread the wondrous teachings of Buddha."

                       Prince Jeta replied coolly, "Tears and even your philosophical reasoning won't move me even an inch."

                        "YOUR HIGHNESS PLEASE!!! But you must understand...!!!"

                         "Threats won't budge me either. Have you forgotten exactly who it is that I am? Why not just find some other land? There are plenty of others to choose from."

                        "Because this land is perfect, sire! Surely someone as astute and knowledgeable would easily see the benefit that this could provide..."

                         "Your charm and praise, though greatly appreciated, won't work either I'm afraid. Please leave my sight at once. That is all." 

                         "But your majesty, I'll do anything!"

                          At these words, Prince Jeta became intrigued by Anathapindika's persistence. 

                           "All right, all right, all right. Settle down or else I will charge you and your behavior as defiance to the crown!" Prince Jeta said waving his finger authoritatively. "If you really want that land so badly, Anathapindika, I'll give it to you. But you first must cover the entirety of the region that you desire for this temple -- in gold coins! I'll agree to trade you all the land you want in exchange for the gold that you rest upon every square inch of soil."

                          Anathapindika's face took on a puzzled expression for a moment but then lit up with a smile from ear to ear. "Oh, thank you, Prince Jeta! THANK YOU, YOUR MAJESTY! I'll begin work on it right away, sire--"

                           "Hey, you know I was really kind of kidding, don't you?" but before Prince Jeta could say another word Anathapindika made haste out of the castle. "Hah! I guess I'll let him try," he said looking over at one of his attendants. "But still he'll never come up with that kind of money. It's impossible."

                            Anathapindika began calculating all of his assets and found creative ways to stretch his budget. 

Original Photo by Jeff Belmonte available on Flickr.com

                              He might just be able to cover the amount of gold needed, but he realized that by including the donations of others it would deepen the bond others have with Buddhism. So he posted signs all over the city asking for donations of any kind to help build, furnish, and supply the monastery. People all over the city began to donate materials and money.

                            After observing the villagers carrying various items of value away from the city, Prince Jeta ordered one of his attendants to investigate Anathapindika's activities. The attendant quickly returned back to Prince Jeta with a look of complete bewilderment.

                              "Your majesty," said the attendant in a daze. "That man you received the other day, Anathapindika... well, he is now in the process of spreading gold over your lands at this very moment. I've seen him with my own eyes spreading the gold coins himself. Many of the villagers are even leaving donations for the new temple."

                               Prince Jeta couldn't believe it. He mounted his horse and rode over to his forest. Sure enough, Anathapindika was at the halfway point spreading gold coins over the land.

                                 "Wait. Stop right there!!" Prince Jeta shouted. Anathapindika stopped to look at the prince. All the villagers turned their eyes toward the prince as well. The prince scanned his land covered in gold and observed all the donations from the villagers. His facial expression slowly became softer.  

                                   "Your determination and regard for Buddhism amazes me," said the prince. "Let me contribute the other remaining half of the land as an act of charity to this grand new temple."

                                  And so Prince Jeta and Anathapindata built together what was to become the famous Jetavana Monastery.

Original Photo by Photo Dharma available on Flickr.com

***

                                  But some still might hear this story and think to themselves, "Well, I'm not able to give anything as great as Anathapindika. I'm flat broke. Since I have next to nothing to give, I can't offer anything. And since I can't give like you say, it seems like I'll stay in bad shape."

                                   Again -- what matters most in giving is what's in the heart. Having a heart that wishes to give and share is what is most precious. Even if you have nothing you can give, you can still give many gifts that come from the heart. 

In fact, Buddhism teaches there are 7 Ways of Giving for Free.

1.) The Gift of a Warm, Friendly Look --  Welcoming people with your eyes can be a tremendous gift you can give to anyone for free. It lifts the spirits of those around you and gives comfort to people who may be feeling down. It has been said that eyes are the window to the soul, so show the world a soothing radiance with each glance.

Original Photo by Ehsan Khakbaz H. available on Flickr.com

2.) The Gift of a Soothing Expression -- Smiling is another way to share with others a peaceful, easy feeling. Greeting others you meet with that first smile is something truly wonderful to receive and can be done at no cost. When someone gives you a heartfelt smile, it can often ease your suffering and melt away all life's little troubles for a while. It makes you and the other person feel joyful in unison! A little grin can even calm people down, and it promotes harmony. Everyone else will start to get along better and smile by following your example. Instructions to smile: simply pull each corner of your mouth toward your ears and put your teeth on display! Don't be shy!

Original Photo by Jesse Barker available on Flickr.com

3.) The Gift of Gentle Words -- Say nice things to people. Give up using sarcasm if possible. It's such a rare blessing to hear words from someone who is speaking from the heart. Whenever we hear someone genuinely sharing warmth, it makes us feel really happy inside. Listen to others and take a sincere interest in their well-being. Offer uplifting support when you reply. 

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

4.) The Gift of Help through One's Effort -- This means really getting down to work by doing physical labor for a friend, a charity, or for society. Use your muscle and get your cardio by lending a helping hand to someone in need. It could be lending a hand during someone's move, opening a door for someone, or picking up something that someone has dropped on the floor. 


 

Original Photo by Feed My Starving Children available on Flickr.com

5.) The Gift of Gratitude from the Heart -- This is saying thanks to someone and really meaning it. Not just "Thanks," but "Thank you very much!!" said with gusto and real enthusiasm. Gratitude is a very powerful force. It's contagious and capable of doing very great things for this world.   

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

6.) The Gift of Giving Up Your Spot -- In our lives, we assume various positions and hold onto various entitlements. Giving up your Spot means letting someone else have that treasured parking space. Just be patient and give others the right of way at an intersection rather than speeding ahead. Offer the last seat on the bus or train especially to the elderly or disabled. You can yield your spot as chairman of the board as you retire, or even resist the temptation of your last bite to share it instead. It's not only about giving up your seat; it's about thinking of others first before thinking of yourself. 

Original Photo by isa available on Flickr.com

7.) The Gift of Sharing a Meal and Offering a Night's Stay -- This means to offer someone in the middle of a difficult journey in life a meal and a place to spend the night. When another is in a time of great twists and turns along their path, this can be a very precious, comforting gift. Most of us have a little bit extra in the fridge and how better to use it than to help out a friend in need. So clear off the couch and freshen the linens in the extra bedroom!

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

                      These are all things we can do anywhere and at any time and without any cost to us. All we have to do is try it and it is sure to work! These efforts we do for others are rewarding to us because of the Law of Cause and Effect.

Good deeds bring good results.

Bad deeds bring bad results.

Your own deeds bring your own results.

                        Our actions are what decide our fate. That's why it's so important to do as much good as we can for others all the time. We can only benefit from it!

Original Word Art by Celestia Chua available on Flickr.com

                        So let's go out there and use kind words and avoid all that negativity, criticism, and insulting language. Instead be nurturing, considerate and caring with your friends and family. Try to focus on giving from your heart as well as smiling a little bit more throughout life. 

                        In the next post, we will learn the importance of who we should give our best effort to. Just as important as it is to plant good seeds, it is also important to know the best place to maximize our efforts. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The translation of Śākyamuni has many different spellings. Up to this point, Sakyamuni has been used, which was the phonetic translation without accent symbols. In order to come closer to the original sound, Shakyamuni will now be used. Both forms are still acceptable, but this alternate spelling is preferred. Soon past posts will all be updated to reflect this change.