Page 43 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

Time is a very precious thing, and so if we give some of it for the
sake of other people, to help them, this is also a form of dana,
giving, or generosity.

There is also the giving of knowledge, in the sense of the giving

of culture and education. This has always ranked very highly in
Buddhist countries. Intellectual acquisitions should not be kept
to oneself but shared with all. All should be able to benefit from

them. This was emphasized all the more in Buddhist India in as
much as the Brahmin caste, the priest caste of Hinduism,

invariably sought to monopolize knowledge and keep the other
castes in a state of ignorance and subservience. Buddhism
always stressed that knowledge, even secular knowledge and

secular culture, should not be a monopoly of any particular caste
or class of people but should be disseminated amongst the

whole community.

Another important kind of giving mentioned in Buddhist

literature is the giving of fearlessness. This might strike you as a
rather strange kind of 'gift'. Not that you can hand anyone

fearlessness on a plate, or wrapped up in a little parcel tied with
ribbon, but you can share with other people your own
confidence. You can create among people a feeling of

fearlessness, or security, by your very presence, your very
attitude. Buddhism attaches great importance to this ability to

reassure people by your mere presence. According to Buddhism
this form of dana is a very important contribution to the life of
the community.

Other forms of dana which are mentioned include the giving of

life and limb. For the sake of other people, or for the sake of the
Dharma, the Teaching, one should be prepared to sacrifice one's
own limbs, even one's own life. Dana, giving or generosity, can

go as far as this.

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