HOW BUDDHA VIEWED CHARITY

Buddha had just finished his sermons when the king of that province approached him desiring to donate land and huge wealth. Buddha remained on his seat and received that with one hand.. The king took a seat close to Buddha. Then came the wealthiest landlord of that province and he too donated a large amount of money. Buddha didn’t move from his place and took it with one hand. The rich person also sat next to the king. Then emerged a poor old woman from the crowd of large devotees and bowed before Buddha offering a handful of grain tied up in a small bundle. Much to the chagrin of both the king and the rich man, Buddha got up from his seat and took that with both hands. When the king and the rich landlord asked the reason for his differential treatment Buddha explained how they had given a small part of their holdings and their donations were imbued with vanity and expectations, therefore he took them with one hand without moving from my seat. But, that poor woman donated everything what she had and she moved back in to the crowd. She had no desire for being glorified or acknowledged therefore he got up from my seat and accepted her donation with both hands” Give not anything away as yours, but as that which is given to you by the divine power, for dispensing to the needy. He who comes to know this truth is a seer because he rises above ego and the arrogance associated with the donor. True charity is desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense. Charity given from earned money without any intention to earn glory is worthy of reckoning, irrespective of its magnitude.”



If the donor as well as the receiver is particular about this aspect then our religions and charitable institutions will continue to command respect. Buddha did not approve of hoarding wealth with desire and attachment, which is against his fundamental, nor did he approve of each and every way of earning one’s livelihood.



This is the story which the present day Charitable and Religious Institutions can take heart from who generally by ignoring the learned persons and devoted workers, go all out to honor the donors who make huge donations from their the money earned by abominable means. Charity made out of the honestly earned money with out any intention to earn glory is worthy of reckoning irrespective of its magnitude.



BHARTENDU SOOD