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Kindness and Compassion

In Buddhism, generosity is one of the Six Perfections and is one of the first practices we encounter. In giving to monasteries, we know that our gifts will be used for others to practice Buddhism in peace.

Appreciative of every benefactor, Buddhism recognizes a concept called Emptiness of the Three Entities. The Three Entities are the giver, the receiver, and the gift itself. This concept teaches that when we give, we are only able to give because someone is willing to accept our offering. When we receive, we are only able to do so because someone is offering us a gift. And without a gift, then there would not be any notion of giver or receiver in the first place. From this, we can see that everybody involved in the act of giving is “empty,” meaning that they are only a part of this exchange because of various other conditions that allow them to do so.

By sponsoring, supporting, praising, and rejoicing in others’ spiritual practice, we tie our conditions into theirs’. As a result, the merits and virtues of that practice is shared amongst all who contributed and rejoiced in it.

Sometimes we want to participate in a retreat or Dharma service, but we cannot due to other commitments. By sponsoring the service, we can contribute to it and allow others to experience it. The same goes for monastic life. Although we might not become monastics ourselves, providing meals for the monastic community is one way we can share in their practice. As Venerable Master Hsing Yun once taught, Buddhism is unique because no matter how much or how little one can give, the merits and virtues are still immeasurable.

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To support our temple, donations can be made conveniently via cash or through Zelle to sacramento@ibps.org

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