Velama Sutta (AN 9:20) 

On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, bowed down to him and sat to one side. As he was sitting there, the Blessed One said to him, “Householder, are gifts still given in your family?” Anathapindika: “Gifts are still given in my family, lord, but they are coarse: broken rice cooked with bran, accompanied by pickle brine.”

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an09/an09.020.than.html

As discussed previously, this sutta could have taken place when Anathapindika was facing financial hardship. And even then, Buddha still enquired if Anathapindika was practicing dana.

This can be rather disturbing for some of us.

“Buddha was alive and his greatest donor was nearing bankruptcy? Why didn’t Buddha bless him? “

Understandably, such a storyline would have invited scorn from potential converts in ancient times and perhaps, even today. Most people are just looking for spiritual quick fixes and promises. Consequently, we will discover that the Mahayana Scriptures had mostly whitewashed such narratives. But that discussion is for another time. Let us focus on this sutta for the time being.

Before we continue, it is noteworthy to understand that Anathapindika at this point in time had already achieved the 1st stage of awakening and is known as a stream-winner. That means he had completely freed himself from the notion of a “Self”. Without self, one is selfless.

In a separate story, the household deity that was residing in Anathapindika’s home became alarmed by his selfless giving and tried to dissuade Anathapindika from being too selfless. In reaction, Anathapindika banished that poor deity from his abode. We should therefore understand there are differences between enlightened beings and unenlightened deities.

To most of us, poverty is a great misfortune. But for a Buddhist monk, he starts his religious life with no possessions. This alone, is something worth pondering. And for an enlightened or awakened one, this life is nothing but a dream.

“Householder, regardless of whether a gift is coarse or refined,

if it is given inattentively [1], disrespectfully [2], not with one’s own hand [3], as if throwing it away [4], with the view that nothing will come of it [5]:

Wherever the result of that gift comes to fruition, one’s mind will not incline to the enjoyment of splendid food [1], will not incline to the enjoyment of splendid clothing [2], will not incline to the enjoyment of splendid vehicles [3], will not incline to the enjoyment of the splendid five strings of sensuality [4]. And one’s sons & daughters, slaves, servants, & workers will not listen to one [5], will not lend ear [6], will not make their minds attend for the sake of knowledge[7].

Why is that? Because that is the result of inattentive actions.

The above is Buddha’s reply to Anathapindika’s statement that he could only afford to offer course food as charity.

Buddha said it is not the quality of the offerings that matters but how we give that matters. This is because the manner and attitude of our giving will create the karmic imprints in our minds. Those imprints will manifest into results when the conditions are met.

It is important to note this verse: “as if throwing it away [4], with the view that nothing will come of it [5]: “

I think this doesn’t mean we should give things with expectation but rather with mindfulness that we are performing a meritorious deed and having a strong conviction that good will beget good in accordance with the law of karma.

“Householder, regardless of whether a gift is coarse or refined, if it is given attentively, respectfully, with one’s own hand, not as if throwing it away, with the view that something will come of it: Wherever the result of that gift comes to fruition, one’s mind will incline to the enjoyment of splendid food[1], will incline to the enjoyment of splendid clothing[2], will incline to the enjoyment of splendid vehicles[3], will incline to the enjoyment of the splendid five strings of sensuality[4]. And one’s sons & daughters, slaves, servants, & workers will listen to one[5], will lend ear[6], will make their minds attend for the sake of knowledge[7]. Why is that? Because that is the result of attentive actions.

Next, Buddha elaborated further by stating the above. When performing dana we have to make that effort to be directly involved with the deed and be mindful of what we are doing. In addition to that, we need to be respectful toward the recipients and have the correct mental position.

If we can do the above, we will enjoy the positive results that follow. (refer to the 7 types of positive results as stated above)

To be continued.

May all be well and happy.