Donation that Liberates from Suffering

We continue presenting the methods of practicing dāna (generosity or donation) as taught by Venerable Mogok Sayadaw, preserving his exact meaning. When making a donation, if one donates motivated by chanda (desire) for human or celestial happiness, this is puññābhisankhāra (meritorious volitional formation). It arises dependent on avijjā (ignorance). What Truth is this? It becomes Samudaya Sacca (Truth of the Origin of Suffering). Since it is Samudaya Sacca, after death, the result will be the Dukkha Sacca (Truth of Suffering) in a human or celestial existence. The human body begins with jāti (birth), continues with jarā (aging), approaches its end with byādhi (sickness), and concludes with maraṇa (death). What Truth is this? Dukkha Sacca. Due to giving ignorantly—rooted in Samudaya Sacca—one experiences Dukkha Sacca in human, celestial, or Brahmā realms. Thus, one both gives and encounters suffering. Therefore, Venerable Mogok Sayadaw taught: "Avijjā nirodhā, sankhāra nirodho (With the cessation of ignorance, volitional formations cease). We must make this happen, even momentarily." How to Realize This Momentarily? Focus wisdom (ñāṇa) on your body: you observe inhaling, exhaling, stiffness, pressure, aching, itching, pain, numbness, or tingling. The body reveals Dukkha Sacca. This suffering is vipāka vatta (resultant suffering). When you genuinely wish to be free from this visible suffering—whether seen physically or with wisdom—the insight of Sacca Ñāṇa (Knowledge of Truth) arises. This is Vipassanā Ñāṇa (Insight Knowledge). What occurs is Dukkha Sacca (suffering); what observes it is Vipassanā Ñāṇa. Observing impermanence (anicca) is the wisdom that sees Truth. Direct this wisdom toward the body. This is "enveloping the act of giving with Vipassanā." As the Buddha declared in the Aṅguttara Nikāya (Aṭṭhaka Nipāta): "Cittālaṅkāra cittaparikkhārameva seṭṭhaṃ" "Making a donation enveloped by samatha (tranquility) and vipassanā (insight) is supreme." The Practice During Giving At the moment of muñca cetanā (volition to relinquish), practice Vipassanā on your body: - One observing rūpa (form) contemplates its arising and passing. - One observing vedanā (feeling) contemplates its arising and passing. - One observing citta (mind) contemplates its arising and passing. Arising and passing is Dukkha Sacca. By directly seeing this suffering, the desire to give arises to be liberated from it. Without adorning the mind with samatha and vipassanā, ordinary dāna occurs—not the supreme dāna. Venerable Sayadaw gave this apt analogy: "If investment is high but profit is low, such trade is unwise. If investment is low but profit is high, such trade is wise." Practicing Vipassanā after giving only envelops the apara cetanā (subsequent volition). Thus, supreme dāna occurs only when Vipassanā envelops the volition to give during the act itself. Why This Liberates When observing the body, you see only arising and passing—Dukkha Sacca. The observer is lokiya magga sacca (worldly path truth). With this observation, sati (mindfulness), samādhi (concentration), and viriya (effort)—the three concentration factors of the path—arise (samatha). Sammā diṭṭhi (right view) and sammā saṅkappa (right intention)—the two wisdom factors—arise (vipassanā). Thus, all five path factors manifest, perfecting both samatha and vipassanā. Reflecting on the Truth of Suffering Consider life’s beginning: jāti (birth) is Dukkha Sacca—dwelling confined in the womb. Giving while aspiring for ajāti (non-rebirth) in Nibbāna liberates from this suffering. This becomes "donation made out of fear of birth." Now, we live with jarā dukkha (suffering of aging). Aging is Dukkha Sacca—resulting from past unmindful giving (avijjā paccayā puññābhisankhārā). Turn your mind: "I give to never encounter this suffering again." Aging is Dukkha Sacca; the wish to avoid it is Magga Sacca. This is "donation that liberates from suffering"—given out of revulsion toward vaṭṭa (the cycle). The Inevitability of Suffering This aged body now approaches byādhi (sickness). Aging leads to sickness—a truth no Buddha or deva can prevent. It is the result of avijjā paccayā sankhārā. The body must follow this law: after aging comes sickness. Who can deny this? Thus, giving to gain human or celestial existence means: "I wish to carry aging and run toward sickness." Like one already sick seeking more sickness—this is foolishness (avijjā is delusion; sankhāra is volitional force). The Liberated Donation Therefore, transform your intention: "I give to avoid carrying aging and enduring sickness." This is no ordinary dāna. It becomes "donation that liberates from suffering" (vaṭṭa vimutti dāna), born from seeing Dukkha Sacca and aspiring for Magga Sacca. Dukkha is Dukkha Sacca (Truth). The wish to be free is Magga Sacca (Path). Venerable Dr. Ashin Parami