Three Factors Involved in Giving


From Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom
(Dharmamitra Translation)

Moreover, the causes and conditions associated with three factors are what produce dana: The first is a believing mind which is pure. The second is a valuable object. The third is a field of merit.

As for the mind [associated with giving], there are three types: that which is characterized by sympathy; that which is characterized by reverence; and that which is characterized by both sympathy and reverence. If one gives to those who are poverty-stricken, those of low social station or those who inhabit the animal world, this is sympathetic giving. If one gives to buddhas, Dharma-body bodhisattvas or others of this sort, this is reverential giving. If one gives to elderly, sick, or destitute arhats or pratyekabuddhas, this constitutes both reverential and sympathetic giving.

The object which is given is to be pure. It has neither been stolen nor seized by force. It is given at the right time. It is not given because one seeks to gain a reputation from it or because one seeks profit or sustenance.

One may at times gain great merit which arises on account of the quality of the mind. Perhaps one may gain great merit which arises on account of the quality of the field of merit. Or perhaps one may gain great merit which arises on account of having given a marvelous object.

As for the first, where it arises on account of the quality of the mind, it is exemplified by the four equally-directed minds (= the four limitless minds), by the mindfulness of the Buddha samadhi, and by [the Buddha's] having given his body to the tigress. Examples such as these indicate what is meant by gaining great merit on account of the quality of the mind.

As for the field of merit, it is of two types: The first is the field of merit associated with sympathy. The second is the field of merit associated with reverence. The field of merit associated with sympathy is such that it is able to inspire the arisal of a sympathetic mind. The field of merit associated with reverence is such that it is able to inspire the arisal of a reverential mind. This is illustrated by the case of King Ashoka (In the language of Ch'in this means "devoid of worry.") who [as a child in an earlier life] had made an offering to the Buddha fashioned from mud.