Generosity (Bo-Shi), if you recall, is the first of the Six Perfections (Yook Ba-ra-mil). The others are Morality/Precepts (Ji-Gye), Patience (In-Yeok), Perseverance/Vigor (Jong-Jin), Meditation (Son-Jeong), and Wisdom (Ji-Hae).
In the 520 or so Dalma Deasa (Bodhidharma), the First Patriarch of Zen went to China. He was invited by Emperor Wu who was a great propagator of Buddhism. Emperor Wu asked the great Indian master: "I have erected countless temples, pagodas, stupas, I've fed and taken care of thousands of monks...What fortune do I get for all these great deeds of generosity?" "
Mu! (nothing)" said Dalma Daesa.
There are multiple reasons why masters say things and the way they say them. The Generosity of Emperor Wu was what we call Selfish Giving (Yoo-ju-sang Bo-shi) and falls short of fulfilling the Three Requirements for Giving to be Proper. If one wants to get the biggest karmic fortune bang out of one's generosity, they should aim for a more Selfless kind of Giving (Mu-ju-sang Bo-shi). Selfish Giving is more business-like in nature where the generosity given to fortune received is a completed transaction. Selfless Giving on the other hand is characterized by the following:
- The giver gives without expectations for a return of any sort.
- Ultimately, the giver must forget about the gift as if it never took place.
- The intent behind giving is simply to help one in need, not to gain recognition, praise, or respect
The other kinds of the generosity of the Six Perfections are:
- Seven Gifts of Self (Mu-jae-chil-shi)- Even if you haven’t any worldly possessions you can still give and reap the karmic benefit from giving. The Seven Gifts of Self are:
1. Gift of Compassionate/Caring Eyes( Ahn-shi)- A single look can communicate volumes, without uttering a single word. It can pacify or infuriate, calm or disturb. Soft, gentle, compassionate eyes make a person approachable and friendly.
2. Gift of Compassionate Smile (Hwa-ahn-yeol-saek-shi)- A smile usually gets one in return. Kindness radiates from a sincere genuine smile.
3. Gift of Compassionate Speech (Ohn-sa-shi)- Excessive vulgarity and harsh threatening speech, which makes a hostile and unwelcoming environment for us to exist in. Refined gentle speech that uses non-threatening, inspiring language can elevate a person's spirit instead of dampening and bringing it down.
4. Gift of Compassionate Demeanor (Shin-shi)- The way you move, stand, and sit communicates not only your inner state but also your intent towards others. Rude gestures and demeanor cut off communication, and make dialogue uncomfortable. Carry yourself in a manner you want the world to portray you.
5. Gift of Acceptance (Shim-shi)- Always struggling against the current is exhausting and usually unfruitful. Complaining about every problem you encounter rarely if ever solves them. Accept that which is in front of you as yours and you can greatly lessen the amount of unnecessary worry and suffering in your life. Note however that there is a difference between acceptance and passive non-action. Acceptance is not abandonment but the attitude and demeanor with which you actively deal with issues and problems.
6. Gift of a Place to Rest (Sang-jwa-shi)- If you have ever been so physically or mentally exhausted that all you wanted to do is just sit down and rest for a moment, you know what a gift a seat could be.
7. Gift of Shelter (Bang-sa-shi)- Whether its family, friends, or the in-laws, furnishing them with a comfortable place to stay, be it for one night or long term is a gift often undervalued. Mostly because chances are, we were never forced to endure a single night exposed to the elements without a roof over our heads.
The remaining kinds of Generosity are as follows:
- Gift of Knowledge (Bop-bo-shi Bop-mun)- To share knowledge is to dispel the darkness of ignorance. Of all gifts, the Gift of Knowledge is regarded as the most valuable one you can give.
- Gift of Spiritual Practice (Bop-bo-shi Bul-gyong)
- Gift of Study Materials (Bop-bo-shi Gyong-jon)
- Gift of Inner Peace (Wi-ro Bo-shi)- Console those whose mind is not at peace, ease their inner suffering and you will change their world.
- Gift of Health (Chi-ryo, Yak Bo-shi)- People's pains, sickness, and suffering are many. Body and mind are intertwined. To ease someone's suffering is to bring into balance the whole person.
- Gift of Sustenance (Gup-su, Shik-sa Bo-shi)- Give a glass of water to the thirsty, or a bite to eat to the hungry. Nobody should suffer a lack of these fundamentals of life.
There are multiple reasons why masters say things and the way they say them. The Generosity of Emperor Wu was what we call Selfish Giving (Yoo-ju-sang Bo-shi) and falls short of fulfilling the Three Requirements for Giving to be Proper. If one wants to get the biggest karmic fortune bang out of one's generosity, they should aim for a more Selfless kind of Giving (Mu-ju-sang Bo-shi). Selfish Giving is more business-like in nature where the generosity given to fortune received is a completed transaction. Selfless Giving on the other hand is characterized by the following:
- The giver gives without expectations for a return of any sort.
- Ultimately, the giver must forget about the gift as if it never took place.
- The intent behind giving is simply to help one in need, not to gain recognition, praise, or respect
The other kinds of the generosity of the Six Perfections are:
- Seven Gifts of Self (Mu-jae-chil-shi)- Even if you haven’t any worldly possessions you can still give and reap the karmic benefit from giving. The Seven Gifts of Self are:
1. Gift of Compassionate/Caring Eyes( Ahn-shi)- A single look can communicate volumes, without uttering a single word. It can pacify or infuriate, calm or disturb. Soft, gentle, compassionate eyes make a person approachable and friendly.
2. Gift of Compassionate Smile (Hwa-ahn-yeol-saek-shi)- A smile usually gets one in return. Kindness radiates from a sincere genuine smile.
3. Gift of Compassionate Speech (Ohn-sa-shi)- Excessive vulgarity and harsh threatening speech, which makes a hostile and unwelcoming environment for us to exist in. Refined gentle speech that uses non-threatening, inspiring language can elevate a person's spirit instead of dampening and bringing it down.
4. Gift of Compassionate Demeanor (Shin-shi)- The way you move, stand, and sit communicates not only your inner state but also your intent towards others. Rude gestures and demeanor cut off communication, and make dialogue uncomfortable. Carry yourself in a manner you want the world to portray you.
5. Gift of Acceptance (Shim-shi)- Always struggling against the current is exhausting and usually unfruitful. Complaining about every problem you encounter rarely if ever solves them. Accept that which is in front of you as yours and you can greatly lessen the amount of unnecessary worry and suffering in your life. Note however that there is a difference between acceptance and passive non-action. Acceptance is not abandonment but the attitude and demeanor with which you actively deal with issues and problems.
6. Gift of a Place to Rest (Sang-jwa-shi)- If you have ever been so physically or mentally exhausted that all you wanted to do is just sit down and rest for a moment, you know what a gift a seat could be.
7. Gift of Shelter (Bang-sa-shi)- Whether its family, friends, or the in-laws, furnishing them with a comfortable place to stay, be it for one night or long term is a gift often undervalued. Mostly because chances are, we were never forced to endure a single night exposed to the elements without a roof over our heads.
The remaining kinds of Generosity are as follows:
- Gift of Knowledge (Bop-bo-shi Bop-mun)- To share knowledge is to dispel the darkness of ignorance. Of all gifts, the Gift of Knowledge is regarded as the most valuable one you can give.
- Gift of Spiritual Practice (Bop-bo-shi Bul-gyong)
- Gift of Study Materials (Bop-bo-shi Gyong-jon)
- Gift of Inner Peace (Wi-ro Bo-shi)- Console those whose mind is not at peace, ease their inner suffering and you will change their world.
- Gift of Health (Chi-ryo, Yak Bo-shi)- People's pains, sickness, and suffering are many. Body and mind are intertwined. To ease someone's suffering is to bring into balance the whole person.
- Gift of Sustenance (Gup-su, Shik-sa Bo-shi)- Give a glass of water to the thirsty, or a bite to eat to the hungry. Nobody should suffer a lack of these fundamentals of life.
There is a reason why Generosity (Bo-Shi) is number one of the Six Perfections. Not only does it generate good fortune for this life and the next, creating happier conditions. It also loosens our egocentric grip on that which is temporary and fleeting and refocuses our attention on that which lies deeper and is never-changing.
Do your giving without calculating your returns. Leave that up to the Heavens. The Heavens have never short-changed anybody. Your rewards are never forgotten and never lost.
Happy giving ya'll