Giving With Wisdom

A long time ago there lived a Bodhisattva of great diligence who wanted to achieve Enlightenment as soon as possible.

In his practice, he emphasized the core principle of having no attachments even though he was very rich and prosperous. Therefore, he announced publicly that he would give away everything that he has.

Many people came to him and he gave generously - money, food and anything that anyone asked him for. Those who benefited from his generosity praised him for his kindness and his non-attachment to his wealth and property. The Bodhisattva was pleased.

One day, a rather disagreeable beggar came and asked him, "Is it true that you are ready to give away anything that people ask you for?"

The Bodhisattva replied, "Yes, I will give freely away everything I have, whatever you ask for."

The beggar then said to him, "Give me your right hand."

The Bodhisattva took a knife, cut off his hand, and gave it to the beggar with a smile.

The beggar then said. "I could never accept something given with the left hand. This is really improper!"

In that instant, anger arose in the Bodhisattva. "You are so ungrateful!" he shouted at the beggar.

And with that he abandoned the Bodhisattva path...

True giving is all about giving without attachment. Even if the recipient rejects your gift or treat it with disrespect, if you have given generously, with great wisdom, the response would not have mattered to you.

The karma would have be upon the recipient. If he is very grateful, he would have generated good karma. Being ungrateful and unappreciative would cause evil karma to be visited on the recipient.

So, the giver would have generated lots of merits if he gives with wisdom, gives without attachments and gives with equanimity...

Once the act of giving has taken place, the result of the giving is inconsequential to the given. That is giving with wisdom.