There was a scurry of activities in the kitchen this morning.Though still groggy in bed, I could hear the sound of movements there and why, my niece was at it again! She had whipped up a number of dishes and when I woke up, most of the dishes were already packed and sealed except for the black pepper lamb chop and chicken nuggets as well as the colourful vegetable dish predominated by lady fingers. Then, I was helping her lay out the food on a table in the porch; to be picked up later and taken to Nandaka Vihara in Bukit Mertajam. The food were meant for Dāna. Dāna is any form of giving; in this case, food; and it is the practice of cultivating generosity in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism too. Buddhists believe it has the effect of purifying and transforming the mind of the giver. It leads to one of the pāramitās or perfections. In giving though, there ought to be an unattached and unconditional form of generosity. Just give and let go, never expect anything in return. That probably includes the attainment of pāramitās.
More Sunday feasts...
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