Know the Truth before Giving

It's crucial to understand how to give so that our offerings do not lead back to the suffering of the five aggregates (dukkha sacca). Therefore, we shall continue to explain the methods for making liberating offerings, preserving the essence of Venerable Mogok Sayadaw's teachings. "Through ignorance, volitional formations arise" (avijjā paccayā saṅkhārā) The arising of any aggregate—whether human, deva, or any other realm—depends solely on ignorance: ignorance of the Four Noble Truths. In past lives, we lived with this ignorance of Truth. When performing good deeds, we create volitional formations (saṅkhārā). Even when doing meritorious acts, consciousness (viññāṇa), mind-and-matter (nāmarūpa), the six sense bases (saḷāyatana), contact (phassa), and feeling (vedanā) all converge into the five aggregates. Remember: Meritorious deeds performed without knowledge of Truth yield only the reality of suffering—the five aggregates. How so? Any meritorious act done under the direction of ignorance results in dukkha sacca (suffering). In this present life, we cannot separate from these five aggregates. Why must we endure this suffering? Because when performing good deeds, we did not know they would produce these very aggregates of suffering. Volitional formations (saṅkhārā) arise from ignorance—ignorance of aging, sickness, and death. Ignorance (avijjā) is not knowing; the act of an ignorant person performing merits is saṅkhārā. What truth is this? It is samudaya sacca (the truth of the origin of suffering). Merits performed without knowledge of Truth are samudaya sacca. Thus, these five aggregates are dukkha sacca produced by samudaya sacca. Therefore, Venerable Mogok Sayadaw gravely advised: "Put knowledge first; put giving second." Why? For fear that "avijjā paccayā saṅkhārā" will occur. "Avijjā paccayā saṅkhārā" is samudaya sacca. The Sayadaw did not say "do not give"; he meant one still lacks knowledge of Truth. Giving without this knowledge yields dukkha sacca. Due to avijjā and saṅkhārā, the resulting consciousness, mind-matter, six senses, contact, and feeling form dukkha sacca. Who receives this suffering? Those who give without understanding. The Sayadaw urged: "Once you know, then give!" Giving costs money. Giving without knowledge of Truth brings suffering in return—exhausting both wealth and self. It becomes "money-lost, energy-spent" giving. When the ignorant give, they receive viññāṇa, nāmarūpa, saḷāyatana, phassa, and vedanā—combined as the five aggregates: dukkha sacca. But once you know: This aggregate is dukkha sacca—ignorance (avijjā) becomes knowledge (vijjā). Realizing the present aggregate as dukkha sacca through vijjā is wisdom (vijjā ñāṇa). With this wisdom, one no longer creates future volitional formations (saṅkhārā) for rebirth. Knowing existence as dukkha sacca, ignorance ceases, and volitional actions stop. Now you may give! Change your motivation: "I give not desiring more aggregates of suffering, but seeking liberation from dukkha." Not wanting suffering is vijjā. Giving while saying, "I do not want dukkha sacca again," leads to Nibbāna. Venerable Dr. Ashin Pārāmi