We should help when we can. Help others and don’t stop to wonder if they deserve your help. This is true generosity.
By Daniel Scharpenburg
“If a poor man comes begging from you, give him what he needs, according to your means. Have great love and great compassion, considering him as if he were part of your own body. This is True Charity, True Sharing, True Giving.”
-So Sahn, Mirror of Zen
Generosity is one of the great ways we connect with other people.
Compassion and generosity can be hard to find at times, but our corner of the world is a better place if we strive to have more compassion and to be more generous. Some of us see a homeless person by the side of the road and we don’t want to help them. We think maybe they will use our money for drugs or alcohol—we think that they don’t deserve our help because we aren’t sure what they will do with it. We should treat others how we would treat ourselves.
Not only material things can be given, but also our time and attention. It’s said that generosity is one of the easiest virtues in Buddhism to practice because it’s so clearly defined.
We should help when we can. Help others and don’t stop to wonder if they deserve your help. This is true generosity.
In this video I unpack a verse from Mirror of Zen on the subject of generosity. I hope you like it.
Photo: Pixabay
Editor: Dana Gornall
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Social Justice as Self Help
Is it possible that we have overlooked social justice as self help? What if becoming a better person yourself could be rooted in smashing the patriarchy, creating safe and inclusive spaces, changing all that all pervasive heteronormative imagery, and asking what you can do for your neighbors that are struggling. Maybe some of that damage we need all these self help books to “fix”, has been imposed by racism, classism, sexism, and all sorts of other -isms.
He specializes in bringing meditation practice and Buddhism to people in a practical way that applies to real life.
Find out more about Daniel here and connect with him on Facebook
- Review of The Power of Mind: A Tibetan Monk’s Guide to Finding Freedom in Every Challenge {Book Review} - August 23, 2022
- The Path to Peace: A Buddhist Guide to Cultivating Loving Kindness by Ayya Khema {Book Review} - July 21, 2022
- That is Not Your Mind! Zen Reflections on the Surangama Sutra {Book Review} - July 16, 2022
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He specializes in bringing meditation practice and Buddhism to people in a practical way that applies to real life.
Find out more about Daniel here and connect with him on Facebook
- Review of The Power of Mind: A Tibetan Monk’s Guide to Finding Freedom in Every Challenge {Book Review} - August 23, 2022
- The Path to Peace: A Buddhist Guide to Cultivating Loving Kindness by Ayya Khema {Book Review} - July 21, 2022
- That is Not Your Mind! Zen Reflections on the Surangama Sutra {Book Review} - July 16, 2022
