Dana is a Pali word that can be translated as giving, generosity, charity, or liberality. It occupies an important part in the Buddha's teaching and it is the first step towards eliminating the defilements of greed, hatred and delusion, for every act of giving is an act of loving-kindness ( metta ) and compassion ( karuna ) in the heart.

Dana is not simply giving of material things, it also means sharing and giving of kindness, gentleness, comfort, peace, trust, patience, a sympathetic ear, attention etc. in one speech, action and thoughts. Most of all dana should be performed with the purpose of Removing Greed with Right Understanding.
 

Characteristics = relinquishing
Function = dispel greed for things that can give away
Manifestation = non-attachment / achievement of prosperity / favourable state of existence
Proximate Cause = an object that can be relinquished

1. Consideration of the Giver
2. Consideration of the Gift
3. Consideration of the Receipient
4. Conclusion

• before - during the preparatory stage where one should realize and appreciate that what one is thinking, planning and doing is very commendable and wholesome.
• during - one should be mindful and aware of what one is doing and not be absent-minded and thinking about other things.
• after - whenever one recalls his good deed, one should rejoice and be glad and not regret about it.

When dana is performed with the understanding of the Law of Action and Result
( kamma-vipaka ) that is to say we are aware that we are the owner of our own deeds, and good deeds beget good results, and bad deeds will beget bad results. Dana done with the understanding of the law of kamma is accompanied by wisdom, therefore when one enjoy the results such as wealth later or in our next lives, it will also be accompanied by wisdom.

Since dana is the basic foundation in the hierarchy of Dana - Sila - Bhavana
( generosity - morality - mental cultivation ), it will be a set back to one practice of meditation if one is not able to understanding the law of kamma. It will be difficult to make progress and attain higher insight knowledges.
 

Whenever one did a good deed, one should make an aspiration for the attainment of Nibbana - the cessation of suffering.
One can wish that one may be :
a) healthy as good heath is needed to aid one in our meditation practice,
b) wealthy as wealth enables one to perform dana and provides supportive conditions for
     the above practice,
c) happy since being in a unhappy state of mind, one will not be able to practice the right path smoothly.
d) able to have opportunity to learn, practice and realize the dhamma and attain Nibbana.
 

They are those who give :-
1. of one's accord
2. from fear
3. thinking " he gave to me, ..... "
4. thinking " he will give to me, .... "
5. thinking " it is good to give. "
6. thinking " I prepare some food, he they do not ; though I cook,
                     I am not worthy to stop giving to those who prepare no food "
7. thinking " from this alms-giving of mine, a fair report will spread abroad."
8. to enrich and mellow the heart.

- he who look for the opportunity to give.
- he also apportion his wealth accordingly and discharge his duty in giving comfort and security to
   his family, relative, friends and himself besides performing charity to the virtuous and the needy.
- he is one who is performing Meritorious Deeds ( Doing Good )

- he who does not take what is not given or others' ( stealing )
- he who does not take more than what is given
- he is one who is keeping his Abstainment Precepts ( Avoiding Evil )

One should give in such ... ( Ang. Nik. iii, 172 )

1. the donee does not feel humiliated, belittled or hurt
2. with due consideration and respect eg. made the donee feel a warm welcome
3. with one's own hand eg. personal involvement will promotes rapport through ones care, willingness and concern
4. useful and appropriate eg. not what is only fit to be thrown away, choice
5. not of a callous / insensible manner eg. as to make the donee not feel like coming again.
6. with faith eg. with due deference and respect, taking delight in the opportunity one has got to serve at the proper time to meet a dire need
7. with altruistic concern eg. with the sole intention of helping another in difficulty
8. not to hurt oneself or another
9. with understanding and discretion eg. if the gift contributes to the well-being of the donee, it is wise to give but if it detrimental to the welfare of the donee, one should be careful to exercise one's discretion.

1. the hina ( inferior ) dana - one give to gain recognition and fame
2. the majjhima ( middle level ) dana - one give to get good worldly results e.g. rebith in the heavenly existence
3. the panita ( highest ) dana - one who sincerely give to alleviate the suffering of others and with aspiration to attain Nibbana Veyyavacca ( Performing Service ) is another form of gift in dana.

One can help the monastery by sweeping, cooking, washing, take care of the garden etc. or help the Community Home like the Ophanage, Old-folks and the Disable.

There are 3 types of fires that should be tended with care and honour.
( Ang Nik iv, 44 )
i.   ahuneyyaggi = one's parents
ii.  gahapataggi = one's wife and children, employee and dependents
iii. dakkhineyyaggi = religious persons who have attained the goal of Arahantship or 
     have embarked on the course of training for elimination of negative mental traits.

1. those who are worthy of offerings ( Ang Nik. 57 )
a) virtuous
b) learned
c) has good friend, companions and intimates
d) holds right views and is endowed with wisdom
e) attains at will, easily and without difficulty to these pleasant states ( jhana )of living even in this life.
f) remembers divers past dwellings ( previous life )
g) knows by the deva eye, purified and surpassing that of mankind the cause of beings 
    in accordance with their deed ( see the birth & rebirth )
h) destroying the cankers, he abides in complete realization thereof ...

2. the Eight Persons ( Ang Nik 59 )
those who travel on the way ( magga ) and those who are in fruition ( phala )
a) Stream winner ( sotappana )
b) Once-Returner ( anagami )
c) Non-Returner ( sakadagami )
d) Arahants Note : dana given to the above is Panita Grade

3. When giving charity, one should choose whom to give
- the act of giving is like to plant a seed
- if plant into a fertile soil, it will reap a larger and sweeter fruits ·
- weed damage fields ; lust, ill will, ignorance & covetousness spoils all beings
   therefore, giving to those free of the above yields great benefit. ( dhammapada 356,357,358 & 359 )

In the conversation with Vacchagotta, the Buddha said that offerings made to the ( perfectly ) virtuous brings rich fruit and not so much to those who are immoral. (Ang. Nik. book of the 3 -57)

The Virtuous are defined as ...
a) he who abandoned sense-desire, hatred, sloth & torpor, restlessness & worry and sceptical doubt.
b) he who possessed the virtue of one perfect in training, concentration, wisdom, liberation
    and the knowledge & vision of one perfect in training ( sila, samadhi, panna )

1. Fivefold Blessings of alms giving ( Ang Nik. book of the 5 ) :
when offering of food, the donor are actually offering 5 things ;
a) long life - without food we cannot live
b) good appearance - lack of food will affect our look & appearance
c) happiness - in hungar, we cannot have pleasure
d) strength - food gives us strength
e) wisdom - with food, we can carry out study / meditation & gain knowledge / wisdom

2. Five Blessings will accrue to the giver of alms( Ang Nik. book of the 5 ) :
a) the affection of many
b) noble association
c) good reputation
d) confidence
e) heavenly rebirth you must give.
 

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