No.202 - Dana

Dana In Pairs" which one should study & memorize.

(1) Amisa-dana & Dhamma-dana

Offering four bhikkhu requisites—alms-food, robes, monastic dwellings and medicines—is called Amisa-dana. Expounding, writing and teaching the dhamma preached by the Buddha to others is called Dhamma-dana. The offering of the Dhamma resembles the offering of Nibbana which is deathless. So Dhamma-dana surpasses all other danas. {Pairs: Amisa-dana & Dhamma-dana}

(2) Vicita-dana  & Avicita-dana

If one differentiates the objects of offering and the donees as inferior or superior when giving in charity, that dana is called Vicita-dana. One should also give priority to donate to educational institutes, health-foundations and social-welfare organizations which really promote national causes and the Buddha-sasana. The Buddha always speaks in praise of such charity. The offering without discriminating the objects of offering and the donees is called Avicita-dana. {Pairs: Vicita-dana & Avicita-dana}

(3) Vattenissita-dana & Vivattanissita-dana

The donation which is made with the wish to enjoy worldly pleasures and luxuries, is called Vattenissita-dana for it has the effect of lengthening Samsara. On the other hand, the donation which is made with the aspiration of realizing Nibbana, has the effect of terminating suffering. So it is called Vivattanissita-dana. {Pairs: Vattenissita-dana & Vivattanissita-dana}

(4) Savajja-dana & Anavajja-dana

If an offering is made after killing chickens, pigs or fish, and cooking their meat, that offering is mixed with demeritorious actions. So it is called Savajja-dana. The blameless offering which does not involve killing others is called Anavajja-dana. {Pairs:  Savajja-dana & Anavajja-dana}

(5) Sahatthika-dana & Anatthika-dana

The offering which is prepared and offered personally by oneself is called Sahatthika-dana whilst the offering which is prepared and offered by others on one’s behalf is called Anatthika-dana. {Pairs: Sahatthika-dana & Anatthika-dana}

(6) Sakkacca-dana & Asakkacca-dana

After one had carefully prepared the objects of offering, one offers these with due respect and reverence to the donees and with the belief in kamma and its result; that offering is called Sakkacca-dana. Donating the objects of offering without proper preparation, and without due respect and reverence to the donees is called Asakkacca-dana. {Pairs: Sakkacca-dana & Asakkacca-dana}

(7) Nanasampayutta-dana & Nanavippayutta-dana

If alms-giving is done with the comprehension of kamma and its result, it is called Nanasampayutta-dana. If not, it is called Nanavippayutta-dana. {Pairs: Nanasampayutta-dana & Nanavippayutta-dana}

(8) Sasankharika-dana & Asankharika-dana

If one offers something after being urged by others, that offering is called Sasankharika-dana. Making a donation generously out of one’s keen volition and conviction is called Asankharika-dana. {Pairs: Sasankharika-dana & Asankharika-dana}

(9) Vatthu-dana & Abhaya-dana

Offering the four bhikkhu requisites—alms-food, robe, monastic dwelling, and medicines—is called Vatthu-dana. Giving protection to animals from being killed or harmed is called Abhaya-dana. {Pairs: Vatthu-dana & Abhaya-dana}

(10) Thavara-dana & Athavara-dana

Building and donating pagodas, monasteries, rest-houses, wells, ponds, roads, bridges, ets., which will last and remain beneficial to many for a long time, is called Thavara-dana. Donating offerings such as alms-food and robes, which can be used for a short time, is called Athavara-dana. {Pairs: Thavara-dana & Athavara-dana}

(11) Nibadda-dana & Anibadda-dana

The daily offering of alms-food, water, flowers, and lights to the Buddha as well as the offering of alms-food to bhikkhus every morning is called Nibadda-dana. If one makes such offerings occasionally only when one can afford, it is called Anibadda-dana. {Pairs: Nibadda-dana & Anibadda-dana}

(12) Kala-dana & Akala-dana

The charity performed at an appropriate time to suit the place and the occasion, such as offering Waso-robes at the beginning of the Buddhist rains-retreat period, Kathina-robes at the end of the Buddhist rains-retreat period, and offering the necessities for sick or travelling bhikkhus, is called Kala-dana. If the charity is performed not at a proper time but at any time one wishes, such charity is called Akala-dana. {Pairs: Kala-dana & Akala-dana}

(13) Puggalika-dana & Samghika-dana

An offering which is given to a specified person or individual is called Puggalika-dana. The charity dedicated to the Samgha is called Samghika-dana. Here, the Samgha means all the bhikkhu and bhikkhunis disciples of the Buddha and the noble ones called ariyas. One must pay attention to the Order of Samgha as a whole without thinking of any individual bhikkhu in particular in order to accomplish Samghika-dana. {Pairs: Puggalika-dana & Samghika-dana}

(14) Ucchittha-dana & Anucchittha-dana/Agga-dana

Donating what is left behind after one's use or what is of inferior quality is called Ucchittha-dana. Donating the offerings of superior quality before one's use is called Anucchittha-dana/Agga-dana. {Pairs: Ucchittha-dana & Anucchittha-dana/Agga-dana}

May you all be able to perform more & more "Superior-danas" by studying "Dana In Pairs".