The Practice of Giving: Understanding Generosity as a Core Buddhist Virtue

Generosity is a key practice on the path to spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism.

Giving and Wisdom

Before I began engaging in a regular spiritual practice, I was not particularly generous. I nearly always placed my own selfish desires above any other concerns. I’m not unique in that particular spiritual failing.

As I became more focused on my Lamrim meditations, my compassion grew particularly strong. The Great Scope meditations focus on developing and focusing feelings of compassion.

When you hold these virtuous feelings for long periods, they filter into every thought, and every feeling in your mind and heart. Feelings of compassion change the way you think, the way you feel, and the way you act.

I began noticing increased motivation to practice giving. I had no real experience with giving, but as my motivation grew, my heart compelled me to find an outlet for this desire.

At first, my attempts at giving were clumsy and sometimes inappropriate. I didn’t know what to give, when to give, or how much to give.

I lacked wisdom.