The Wisdom of Generosity and True Wealth

The Vastness of Mind-Capacity

Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha teaches us that the most important quality for any practitioner is the breadth of one's mind-capacity. You should understand the ancient wisdom that says, the mind encompasses the great void, and its capacity spans the sands of the worlds. Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of this vastness. In the eyes of the world, individuals often place themselves at the centre of everything. Because of this, they become trapped in selfishness, causing their mind-capacity to shrink. They focus only on petty calculations, weighing every situation against their own personal interests and measuring others by their own limited standards.

In our daily lives, it is rare to see someone who is truly willing to give selflessly. It is even harder to find those who are willing to give entirely without reservation. Most people hold something back to protect themselves. You must ask yourself honestly: are you like these people? Are you protecting your own interests, and because of this, are you unable to truly open your heart and mind?

The True Meaning of Giving

You might think that having a broad mind-capacity means you are simply sacrificing for others. However, the true significance of this practice is that, while it benefits others, it also profoundly benefits yourself. The concept of helping others is something that requires education and cultivation. Modern society often lacks genuine concern for one another, and there is a noticeable absence of Generosity toward the poor and the vulnerable. Many people believe that because their own lives are difficult, they are unable to help others. They do not understand that it is only through the act of giving that one can accumulate greater blessings.

Consider the practice of Generosity regarding wealth:

• Many people focus solely on earning money, yet wealth requires the right conditions and karmic fortune to manifest.
• Wealth cannot be accumulated simply by refusing to give; just as blessings cannot be obtained without cultivating them.
• If you desire a continuous flow of wealth, you must practise Generosity.
• Through giving, you create the merit and blessings that provide the opportunity to earn sufficient wealth.

You should realise that you are not earning money merely for your own benefit. You have taken from society, and therefore, you should give back to society. Once your basic needs are met, the remainder should be used for Generosity, allowing more people to benefit. This approach demonstrates a vast mind-capacity. When you allow others to share in your success, you are not merely guarding a number in a bank account. If you are able to help others, you should do so. By doing good deeds and being a good person, you will certainly never fear a lack of resources. In this way, you become the wealthiest person of all.

Wealth as Flowing Water

If you only focus on hoarding wealth and become obsessed with material gain, you will find that money behaves like water. If water flows, it remains fresh and vibrant. If water is stagnant, it becomes like a dead pool, eventually disappearing or losing its life-sustaining quality. If you seek only to accumulate without a broad mind-capacity, you will find that what you desire remains forever out of reach. In this world, if you have no mind-capacity and only care for yourself, you will not even be able to take care of your own life effectively.

This teaching is not merely about the comparison of wealth. In truth, mind-capacity is a concept that exists at every moment. If a person only thinks of themselves, their fortune will be closed off and unable to manifest. It is like a state of decline; they cannot be active, and nothing will develop smoothly. The difference between a heart that cares for others and a heart that only cares for itself is vast. Your mind-capacity must be great; it must be able to benefit the masses. If you only act for yourself, what you can enjoy and obtain will be extremely limited. Even the best blessings will eventually be exhausted. You cannot truly take care of yourself by being selfish; only by caring for the masses can you find the truth.

The Path to Spiritual Elevation

The world cannot be sustained through selfishness. Even if your abilities are great, without a broad mind-capacity, you are destined to fail. Whether your wealth is great or small, it is determined by the merit you accumulated in your past lives. Today, you see these blessings manifest. However, if your character in this life is narrow, stingy, and calculating, your blessings will gradually be exhausted, and you will once again fall into a life of poverty. People need to practise Generosity to have blessings. If you spend your life earning money without understanding the importance of giving, you will lose your connection to Goodness and become entangled in negative karmic conditions. This happens because your heart lacks the image of Goodness, seeing only greed and selfishness.

Wealth is truly an external object, yet it is a material necessity in our daily lives. In this society, we must use these things to survive. While it is difficult to live without money, it must never become an obstacle that binds you. It is a great pity to lose your value for the sake of money. My counseling here is to help you see what is truly real. You cannot take money with you when you leave this world. While it is important in this life, you must not forget what is more important: your character and the expression of your true self. I hope you understand that much of this life is merely a performance. The true elevation of your spirit is what you will ultimately carry with you.

Use these temporary material things to accomplish what is real.

Namo Amituofo.

Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.