I am so grateful to the Sangha for the generosity and compassion you have shown each other during this difficult time. The daily zazen periods and our Sunday gathering have been excellent examples of giving, not only by the presiders, but also by the participants. By practicing together, we thank each other for sharing our practice.
In this spirit of generosity, I would like us to explore the first Paramita together: Dana Paramita. Dana is a beautiful word, it means generosity, generosity of mind and generosity of spirit. But how can we practice generosity of mind and spirit just by sitting together? What are we giving?
The teaching, the Dharma, tells us that there are four gifts we can give. We can give material support, we can give protection, we can give the Dharma as teachings, and, most importantly and most subtly, we can give the gift of non-fear. The wisdom of no hindrance.
Dana, the mind and spirit of generosity, is linked to the qualities of lovingkindness and compassion. There is a wonderful gift which arises when we practice lovingkindness and compassion. At first, there is separation. We are the giver, and we are giving to someone. But, in the actual giving, the separation falls away. This is non-duality. Dana, lovingkindness and compassion, are present. But there is no longer a giver and a receiver.