The practice of Dana (generosity) as a foundation for insight includes an exploration of the concept of merit sharing the power and goodness that arises from out practice.
This is a collection of talks and guided meditations given at Insight Meditation South Bay on the ten paramis of generosity, virtue, renunciation, wisdom, energy or effort, patience, truthfulness, determination, loving-kindness and equanimity.
Fire is our teacher - the fire of pain, the fire of persevering through difficulty and the fire of going beyond what we think we are capable of. For we are greater that we know and our journey is one of learning to trust what is right and true. When the heart’s compassion, wisdom, and generosity mature, there is no space for fear. All the dross of the world melts away in the silence of pure presence. Here is the absolute sanctity of awareness, unencumbered, and joyous in the knowledge of pure love itself.
Ottawa Buddhist Society (Sisters of St. Joseph Convent)
The Buddha gave great importance to the quality of generosity, or dana. It can be seen as a supportive condition for the cultivation of the eightfold path. The inner intention of generosity purifies the heart/mind of greed - and it brings great joy!
