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The Blessing of Generosity
I considered posting this in GD as I thought they could use a break from de gunz, but I think it would have gotten lost in the fray. So y'all can enjoy this instead 
[font size="4"]The Blessing of Generosity[/font]
There is a reason why, when we learn the six paramitas, generosity always comes first. As human beings we are so impatient, we want instant gratification, instant happiness, instant results. We often hear that if you are generous, in the future you will be rich. But that's just a very simplistic way of explaining things. If you really think deeply about the practice of generosity, you see that it not only causes future happiness, the practice itself is instant happiness. When young children are asked to give something, they give it with such joy giving is part of who they are. Even though many of us may have hidden agendas when we give presents, still the act of giving can bring so much joy and satisfaction.
You can be generous and let people know that it is you who is doing the giving and you will be happy. Or you can perform acts of generosity without anyone knowing. Often your joy will increase even more when you keep your generosity secret.
And of course there is no need to explain that if generosity is accompanied by the wisdom of nonduality, this is the supreme deed of the bodhisattvas. So it is really understandable that, of all the six paramitas, generosity is taught first. It instantly gives us the blessing of joy.
When somebody is generous toward us we feel so touched and rejoice in their generosity. The same must occur when we are generous to others.
~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche ~
There is a reason why, when we learn the six paramitas, generosity always comes first. As human beings we are so impatient, we want instant gratification, instant happiness, instant results. We often hear that if you are generous, in the future you will be rich. But that's just a very simplistic way of explaining things. If you really think deeply about the practice of generosity, you see that it not only causes future happiness, the practice itself is instant happiness. When young children are asked to give something, they give it with such joy giving is part of who they are. Even though many of us may have hidden agendas when we give presents, still the act of giving can bring so much joy and satisfaction.
You can be generous and let people know that it is you who is doing the giving and you will be happy. Or you can perform acts of generosity without anyone knowing. Often your joy will increase even more when you keep your generosity secret.
And of course there is no need to explain that if generosity is accompanied by the wisdom of nonduality, this is the supreme deed of the bodhisattvas. So it is really understandable that, of all the six paramitas, generosity is taught first. It instantly gives us the blessing of joy.
When somebody is generous toward us we feel so touched and rejoice in their generosity. The same must occur when we are generous to others.
~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche ~