The Heart of Dana Dana, or generosity, is a mental factor predominantly. Wise
people understand that physical actions are often beyond their control, yet they
maintain the purity of their minds and guard their mental volition. Whether
giving freely or facing corruption and unfavorable circumstances, they keep
their intentions pure. This mental clarity and purity ensure that their merit is
substantial, regardless of external conditions.
Case 1: The Generous Old Lady
An elderly lady known for her kindness, decided to donate her only piece of land to
build a monastery. Her physical gift was substantial, but it was the purity of
her intention that held the true value. "This land will serve a higher purpose,
a place of peace and learning," she said with a serene smile. Her volition was
driven by a selfless desire to contribute to the spiritual growth of her
community. Her pure intention preceded and elevated her physical act of giving,
creating immense good kamma. The monastery flourished, its foundation rooted in
Her genuine compassion and right intention.
Case 2: The Poor Man’s Gift
A poorman, struggled to make ends meet but was rich in spirit. He gathered a small
bundle of materials to contribute to the monastery's construction. Though his
offering was modest, his intention was pure and heartfelt. "This is all I have,
but I give it with all my heart," he said. The monks and villagers recognized
that his act was born from pure volition, not material wealth. His right
intention was the basis of his merit, demonstrating that the value of an action
lies in the mental factors behind it. His simple gift, given with a pure
heart, generated great kamma.
Case 3: The Wealthy Landowner Vikram, a wealthy
landowner, donated a vast expanse of land to the monastery, seeking recognition
and social status. His physical act of giving was grand, but his intention was
superficial. Despite the material benefit, his lack of pure volition limited the
merit of his deed. The monks and villagers sensed the disparity between his
outward generosity and his inward motivations. His example illustrated that
without right intention, even the grandest physical actions could not yield
significant merit.
Case 4: The Steadfast Noble In a nearby kingdom ruled by a
corrupt king, a nobleman served reluctantly. Though he had to follow the corrupt king's
orders, he maintained a heart filled with right intention and moral clarity.
Arjun's actions, though constrained by external circumstances, were driven by
his steadfast commitment to righteousness. His right intention was the
predecessor and foundation of his deeds, enabling him to accumulate great merit
despite the corrupt environment. He kept his mind stainless and pure unctouched
by the physical actions around him, in his heart he didn't support corruption
and maintained clear view. Maintaining right
intention, even when bound by a corrupt system, allowed one to rise above and
remain unscathed by the surrounding immorality. His inner purity and volition
shone as a beacon of hope and integrity.
Case 4 is the situation where the
mental voiltion has the most challenges, those with very high confidence in
dhamma and grounded in right view, right intention and right volition can meet
this situation and stay established in purity.
Mental factors are the predecessors and basis of actions, determining the
true value of deeds. The purity of one's heart and mind is the essence of
generating good kamma and living a life of genuine merit. The teachings of
kamma emphasized that every action, born from pure volition, could transcend
material constraints and create lasting positive effects.
