Generosity and Morality

I just read Sharon Salzberg's book on Loving-kindness. The last few chapters talk about generosity and morality. She mentions a comment made by en Eastern monk about Buddhism in the West. In the West we are very diligent in our meditation efforts and strive to reach states of deep concentration, but often neglect or teach secondarily the very foundations of enlightenment that the Buddha taught primarily - generosity and morality. Without ethical conduct, no amount of meditation that we do will be of any use. Without a generous heart, an ability to let go, no amount of meditation will bring us happiness. So, it is kind of funny that she put those chapters on generosity and morality last in her book!

I think it is so noteworthy that when the Buddha decided to teach, the first things he taught were generosity and morality. Give, let go, and conduct yourself in an ethical manner. Refrain from harming, taking what is not freely given, speaking falsely or in damaging ways, sexual misconduct, and intoxicants. In some ways, it can be about faking it until you make it. In other words, act with restraint, even if our minds are still full of craving, anger/irritation, and confusion. Eventually generosity and good deeds will have an impact on the state of our minds and hearts. We build good karma and find that we can be more relaxed and happy when we give things up and "follow the rules." Being generous and good with the intention to be happy will bring us to enlightenment.

I think this is a good way to start teaching our children. Forget about meditation. They need to learn how to show kindness, how to give and how to follow the rules. And they need to know the benefits of doing these things; why they should do these things: genuine happiness.

I have already discovered, to a certain degree, that when I have made a true effort to do good things in my life, the days when I am not so good don't throw me off track so much. It is easier to recover from mistakes when I have built up "merit." When I am living my life in a more loving way, it is easier to recover from moments of anger and confusion. That field of love is so much bigger than that field of anger.

When we are trapped in patterns of craving, anger and confusion, we can start with generous and moral behavior to build merit. Little by little we will find that love begins to replace anger. A generous heart replaces a fearful, clinging heart. Our lives become more clear and purposeful and confusion fades away.