Buddhism and giving anonymous gifts,,,Like a DU star.

[safeinOhio]

Real Charity

You perform real charity if you can give freely without expecting anything in return.

The essence of true charity is to give something without expecting anything in return for the gift. If a person expects some material benefit to arise from his gift, he is only performing an act of bartering and not charity. A charitable person should not make other people feel indebted to him or use charity as a way of exercising control over them. He should not even expect others to be grateful, for most people are forgetful though not necessarily ungrateful. The act of true charity is wholesome, has no strings attached, and leaves both the giver and the recipient free.

The meritorious deed of charity is highly praised by every religion. Those who have enough to maintain themselves should think of others and extend their generosity deserving cases. Among people who practise charity, there are some who give as a means of attracting others into their religion or creed. Such an act of giving which is performed with the ulterior motive of conversion cannot really be said to be true charity.

The Buddhism views charity as an act to reduce personal greed which is an unwholesome mental state which hinders spiritual progress. A person who is on his way to spiritual growth must try to reduce his own selfishness and his strong desire for acquiring more and more. He should reduce his strong attachment to possessions which, if he is not mindful, can enslave him to greed. What he owns or has should instead be used for the benefit and happiness of others: his loved ones as well as those who need his help.

[leftieNanner]

1. Thank you for this

I had an opportunity to transform a thing I owned into an anonymous gift that helped someone else with a serious life issue.

It was one of the most joyous experiences of my life. And being anonymous was a big part of the gift.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Do you mean a du heart?

Or are you talking about donating a star membership??

[safeinOhio]

5. yes, i'm old and forgetful

thanks

[Irish_Dem]

3. St. Francis: For it is in giving that we receive

Here is the whole prayer:

St. Francis PEACE PRAYER

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it's in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born...
To eternal life.
Amen

[safeinOhio]

6. I'm a big fan of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Assisi Italy was one of my favorite stops in Italy too.

Thank you for the prayer

[Irish_Dem]

7. YW! I like St. Clare as well.

Yes I am a big fan of St. F.
That is so neat you have been to Assisi.

The Peace Prayer is my favorite prayer.

[safeinOhio]

9. If you ever get to Italy, go to Assisi.

Get to see the 1,000 year old Baptismal vessel that both were Baptized in.
the museum in the basement is worth the trip.
The Saint for the poor and animals.

[Irish_Dem]

11. He is also the patron saint of ecology.

Oh wow, you saw the 1,000 year old baptismal of Francis and Clare.
Amazing, just amazing.
And the museum.

Yes I will put it on my bucket list.

[safeinOhio]

12. Here you go

https://www.startribune.com/review-the-basilica-of-st-francis-in-assisi-edited-by-gianfranco-malafarina/286293271/

[Irish_Dem]

13. It sounds beautiful.

The art work with the article is stunning.

[JoeOtterbein]

4. I worked for 12 years for a non-profit meal delivery org...

...Every year we would hold an appreciation party for the volunteers. One of our volunteer board-members was always against the idea. Never would go and never accepted any of the many awards he would receive for his devotion to the cause.

He always said it was wrong to accept anything for his valued work. Because being a "volunteer" meant just that, and nothing more or less.

I always respected and admired him more than almost anyone I've ever personally known.

[Irish_Dem]

8. He didn't need or want his feathers rubbed for doing the right thing.

This is a high level of moral development.

But volunteers deserve recognition and accolades.

[JoeOtterbein]

10. Yep

As my Dad used to say about them, "Volunteers make the world go around".