Dana and Punya Flashcards
what is dana
selfless giving
what is caga
generosity
when is dana taught in buddhism
it is the first ethical activity which a Buddhist learns to develop
starting point for lay buddhists
what is dana a part of
the three means of gaining ‘karmic fruitfulness’ or ‘merit’
how does dana link to other teachings
- it is a way to combat the three poisons specifically greed
- gnerosity (caga) because giving with caga leads to a better karmic result
- annata because by giving selflessly links with letting go of self and selfishness
what is the key focus of giving for most buddhists and why
the monastic sangha because they don’t own anything and by giving food and shelter to them they receive teachings of the dhamma and good karma so giving in alms round leads to better rebirth
how do buddhists give to the wider community
- give own funds to help build schools, bridges, wells etc
- contribute towards printing of buddhist books for free distribution
- help pay for the ordanation of buddhists who are too poor to become monks
all these will lead to more positive karma
what is the significance of the recipient when giving
the purity of recipient influences the amount of merit linked to dana
you get more merit for giving to those w more positive karma because it shows genuine caga
what is the order of giving that will give you most merit
- arhat / monastic sangha
- monk / nun on arhat path
- buddhist commited to 5 precepts
- people who aren’t spiritually advanced
- immoral people
what are the stages and result of dana
- buddhists may start giving because they know it has karmic benefits for themselves
- as they continue they resalise generosity results in joy and happiness for its own sake, not cause they feel they are gaining from it
- greed and attachment to material possesions are reduced an more compassion is developed for others
- a more compassionate, trusting community is created
- first of the ‘perfections’ on bodhisattva path completed and qualities of an arhat acquired showing a step towards enlightenment
what is the importance of intention for dana
- if you give willingly it reflects pure intention
- but if u give willingly and know why you are giving it reflects pure intention and wisdom which is better
- any giving is good
- giving with pure intention and generosity is better
- giving with pure intention, generosity and wisdom is best.
what is punya
merit - like positive energy
how can punya (merit) be cultivated
dana
moral behaviour
meditation
teaching dhamma
puja (worship)
what happens to karma when you gain punya
karma is purified and gets better
how do buddhists use their punya
most buddhists direct it out to others in the world
it can help with path to enlightenment but this can be seen as a selfish aim
why is punya not to be seen as a reward
nobody is giving them a reward for their good actions and this can damage the intention
instead it refers to the natural order of the happiness as a result of their good actions
what is the opposite of punya
apunna / papa - evil or bad acts which bring ill fortune
how is punna demonstrated in puja rituals
a formal statement of intention is included to direct any merit gained towards the benefit of others
how is merit transferred in theravada traditions
buddhists can transfer merit to those who are re-born in less fortunate realms in order to help the, get a better rebirth
what is the tranfer of merit referred to as in mahayana traditions
parivarta / turning over
how might punna be transferred in mahayana tradition
boy becoming a monk may give merit to his mother, who will also gain merit for giving up her son
how can merit be achieved without doing a good action yourself
rejoicing the good deeds of others
what is metta bhavana
meditation on lovingkindness
how does punna link with meditation
the structures are very similiar
-> merit moves out in concentric circles from people who are closest to us to people who are least close with each stage getting harder
-> this shows the unselfish nature of buddhism and how actions like gibinh and meditation are designed to improve the world not just individuals to reduce suffering for all
what are the 2 misunderstandings of punna
- seeing it as something that can be stored / ‘banked’ to off-set bad deeds
- seeing it as a reward instead of a positive force that arises from acting constructively
what doesn’t punna develop and thrive without
selfless attitude
what does Harvey say about the way merit should be used
- it should be shared, and in sharing and generosity, more merit is created, like many lamps being lit from just one
what is harvey’s quote about candles
merit is ‘like many lamps being lit from just one’
