(The content of this article is taken from the discourses made by Arahath Mahanuwara Wajirabudhdhi Thero)

Dāna means, the virtue of generosity- donating- giving of alms- charity and letting go. Not only Buddhists but also Christians, Hindus, Islamists, Jewish and every other religion in the world practise giving. Common practise of all these religion based donations is that you give with an intention of receiving something in return. Their belief is that this world is nicca, sukha and atma so they give and then wish to go home to God in the heaven or they wish for a better life or worldly pleasures in this world of permanent, pleasurable and of a self-inherent entity. It is practised more like a transaction of giving and receiving. However, in the teaching of the Buddha, the perspective of Dāna is a entire different practise.

Buddhists know, everything that exists in this universe is subject to 03 undeniable characteristics – Annicca, Dukkha and Anattā. They know that nothing is here to stay permanently, they know all pleasures are temporary and they know that there is no self-inherent entity. As such, they donate, give away to train them self to let go. Instead of hoarding and collecting for a permanent, pleasurable and self-driven life, Buddhists do the opposite – they give away, share their things and donate because they understand it’s pointless to hold on to things in this world of annicca, dukkha and anattā. A Buddhist Dāna is not a transaction of giving and receiving, it is a simple training to let go and to liberate from this momentary world.

Dāna can be practised in various ways:
Providing basic requirements such as clothes who in need of clothing, relinquishing hunger and thirst by giving food and water to the needy, offering shelter for the homeless, medicine for the sick. These are the 04r basic needs for ordinary people. We can also offer the same for 04 basic requirements for life for Arya Sangha. When offering these to the Arya Sangha we call them Cheevara (clothing), Pindapātha (food), Senāsana (shelter) and Gilānaprathya (medication). The common term used for donating these 04 basic requirements is called Sivpasa Dāna.

Comfort a distressed, troubled or a frightened person. This can be done by offering a few kind words - “please do not worry” “it’s going to be ok” “we are there to help you”. - speaking such words at a time of need offering a sense of protection and the feeling of being cared for could bring relief and a sense of security. This is Abhaya Dāna (The gift of fearlessness).

Teaching a subject that you know to a child who likes to learn or assist in schooling a child. Teach a life supporting skill. Offer advice and guidance for those who seek it if you are capable to do so. Teach about morality and rightful self-conduct to someone leading an immoral life. Teach about dhamma to someone who do not know it, teach about it and help them realize Smmāditthi, to develop Ekāggata and about sathipatthāna to help them liberate from samsara. These type of donations are Dhamma Dāna. (Gift of knowledge)

The essence of the Buddhist Dāna is rooted in nekkhamma sankalpana, avyapada avihimsa sankalpana. May the receiver benefit from this donation, May the receiver be happy and content with this donation. As such, an effort to let go of Tanhā, an attempt to fade off the greediness in your mind, thoughts of kindness, compassion, nonviolence and a sense of co-existence and humanity is the heart of the Buddhist Dāna.

When the donation made is fore fronted by nekkhamma cetanā, when the dāna is made with the intention of progressing in the noble eightfold path, when practised it with the intention of nurturing kusal, when it is done with the intention of healing the kilesa in your mind, such dāna yields great merits inevitably.

Buddha has explained beautifully about the benefits of Dāna – A generous person wins the heart of others, he or she will gain courage to face any audience and will have the blessings of the elites. His or her good reputation will be known by all naturally – it will not be necessary to announce or put up boards about the good deed – publicity will spread naturally.