La Buscadora Six Perfections part 2, week 1

All the following information and quotations comes from "The Six Perfections Part 1" in the sections named "The Divisions of Generosity."  Please click here to read the full article. As you can tell, I like lists.

1. The Generosity of Dharma: teaching and saying mantras and prayers 
2. The Generosity of Fearlessness: saving beings from danger
3. Material Generosity: a physical and mental generosity

Material Generosity is divided into 3 sections:

1. necessity: to become enlightened
2. possessions: to be regarded as belonging to others which we return to the rightful owner
3. object: who is our teacher in generosity to whom we also show gratitude.

The types of mind to be abandoned are:

1. wrong views: thinking that being generous is useless
2. pride: Thinking that we are the teachers instead realizing that the beggar is our teacher
3. dependence: expecting to receive something in return for our generous act.
4. discouragement
5. partiality: being generous to all, including "enemies"
6. self-interest: letting go of the result keeping in mind that "possessions are trivial, and think[ing] of the benefits of enlightenment which are received by practicing generosity."
7. fear: abandoning the fear of becoming poor and being without.
8. maliciousness: detach from unkind thoughts of the one to whom we are giving.

While practicing generosity, we should not…
 1. … give inferior items to show how generous we are.
 2. … compel others into doing "non-virtuous actions"
 3. … practice with partiality and therefore be equal with our giving
 4. … use stolen items with which to be generous.
 5. … "practice generosity with the intention of harming a third party."
 6. … verbally abuse or reprimand anyone for any reason
 7. … "break the precepts"
 8. … accumulate possessions first.

If those are what we aren't supposed to do, what do we do?

"We should practice generosity:

    * without harming others.
    * by bearing difficulties and troubles as they arise.
    * by our own hand, with respect for the object.
    * with sincere words.
    * with a pleased and smiling face."

As you can see there's a lot more to being generous than one might expect.  My idea was to practice with a good nature and a smile; sharing would come from the heart. I highly recommend reading the rest of the article to get even more out of it.  You can find the link here.

I find that if I read these lists throughout the day, I will remember them. In this way, I can put theses ideas to use. Please post a comment and let me know you came to visit. I would love to hear from you.

We surrender to win;
    we give away to keep;
we suffer to get well;
    we die to live.

What I am is Gods gift to me.
    What I make of myself is my gift to Him.