Dana and Punya

Question 1

what is dana

Answer 1

selfless giving

Question 2

what is caga

Answer 2

generosity

Question 3

when is dana taught in buddhism

Answer 3

it is the first ethical activity which a Buddhist learns to develop

starting point for lay buddhists

Question 4

what is dana a part of

Answer 4

the three means of gaining ‘karmic fruitfulness’ or ‘merit’

Question 5

how does dana link to other teachings

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

what is the key focus of giving for most buddhists and why

Answer 6

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

Question 7

how do buddhists give to the wider community

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

what is the significance of the recipient when giving

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what is the order of giving that will give you most merit

Answer 9

1. arhat / monastic sangha
2. monk / nun on arhat path
3. buddhist commited to 5 precepts
4. people who aren’t spiritually advanced
5. immoral people

Question 10

what are the stages and result of dana

Answer 10

1. buddhists may start giving because they know it has karmic benefits for themselves
2. as they continue they resalise generosity results in joy and happiness for its own sake, not cause they feel they are gaining from it
3. greed and attachment to material possesions are reduced an more compassion is developed for others
4. a more compassionate, trusting community is created
5. first of the ‘perfections’ on bodhisattva path completed and qualities of an arhat acquired showing a step towards enlightenment

Question 11

what is the importance of intention for dana

Answer 11

• 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

1. any giving is good
2. giving with pure intention and generosity is better
3. giving with pure intention, generosity and wisdom is best.

Question 12

what is punya

Answer 12

merit - like positive energy

Question 13

how can punya (merit) be cultivated

Answer 13

dana
moral behaviour
meditation
teaching dhamma
puja (worship)

Question 14

what happens to karma when you gain punya

Answer 14

karma is purified and gets better

Question 15

how do buddhists use their punya

Answer 15

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

Question 16

why is punya not to be seen as a reward

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what is the opposite of punya

Answer 17

apunna / papa - evil or bad acts which bring ill fortune

Question 18

how is punna demonstrated in puja rituals

Answer 18

a formal statement of intention is included to direct any merit gained towards the benefit of others

Question 19

how is merit transferred in theravada traditions

Answer 19

buddhists can transfer merit to those who are re-born in less fortunate realms in order to help the, get a better rebirth

Question 20

what is the tranfer of merit referred to as in mahayana traditions

Answer 20

parivarta / turning over

Question 21

how might punna be transferred in mahayana tradition

Answer 21

boy becoming a monk may give merit to his mother, who will also gain merit for giving up her son

Question 22

how can merit be achieved without doing a good action yourself

Answer 22

rejoicing the good deeds of others

Question 23

what is metta bhavana

Answer 23

meditation on lovingkindness

Question 24

how does punna link with meditation

Answer 24

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

Question 25

what are the 2 misunderstandings of punna

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

what doesn’t punna develop and thrive without

Answer 26

selfless attitude

Question 27

what does Harvey say about the way merit should be used

Answer 27

• it should be shared, and in sharing and generosity, more merit is created, like many lamps being lit from just one

Question 28

what is harvey’s quote about candles

Answer 28

merit is ‘like many lamps being lit from just one’