Secret of karma - Right motivation when Giving

Secret of karma - Right motivation of Giving

THE MOTIVATION FOR GIVING

The suttas such as the Anguttara Nikaya record various motives for exercising generosity. The below are some examples :

1) One gives with annoyance, or as a way of offending the recipient, or with the idea of insulting him.

2) Fear also can motivate a person to make an offering.

3) One gives in return for a favor done to oneself in the past.

4) One also may give with the hope of getting a similar favor for oneself in the future.

5) One gives because giving is considered good.

6) Some give urged by such altruistic motives. Giving as a concern for other

7) Some give donation to gain a good reputation.

8) Some give to train the mind to be generous.

9) Sometimes donations are given for the sake of maintaining a long-standing family tradition or culture.

10) Desire to be reborn in heaven after death is another motive.

11) Giving pleases some and they give with the idea of winning a happy frame of mind.

If one gives with the idea of accumulating things for later use, that is an inferior act of giving. If one gives with the hope of enjoying the result thereof after death, that is also an inferior act of giving.

The best motive for giving should be the motive of trainning our mind, to rid the mind of greed and selfishness.

1) He/she takes delight in distributing gifts to the needy

2) Has a heart bent on giving and helping others.

3) A noble giver is one who is happy before, during and after giving. Before giving he is happy anticipating the opportunity to exercise his generosity. While giving he is happy that he is making another happy by fulfilling a need. After giving he is satisfied that he has done a good deed.

4) It is also maintained in the suttas that alms/giving/donations should be given without any expectations.

5) Nor should alms be given with attachment to the recipient.