Generosity and its Eleven Blessings: A Path to Heaven

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living high in the Himalayas, surrounded by a group of devoted followers. He was their teacher, guiding them with wisdom and compassion. He emphasized the importance of kindness and generosity, explaining that by practicing these virtues, they could ensure a blessed and peaceful existence—both in this life and the next. Through charity and selflessness, the Bodhisatta taught, one could earn the favor of the gods and secure a place in heaven after death.

The Bodhisatta himself had reached the pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment and, as a result, was born into the heaven of Brahma. There, he lived for seven eons, basking in the fruits of his generosity and virtuous life. His heart, full of compassion, continued to radiate kindness for all beings. Eventually, after completing his cycle in the heavenly realm, the Bodhisatta entered nirvana, free from the cycle of birth and death.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

One day, the Buddha gathered his disciples and gave a profound sermon on the power of charity and generosity. He explained that fully practicing charity could lead to eleven great blessings:

1. Sleeping in comfort
2. Waking in comfort
3. Not having bad dreams
4. Being valued by humans
5. Being valued by non-humans
6. Being guarded by the gods
7. Not being harmed by fire, poison, or weapons
8. The ability to quickly enter a state of concentration
9. Having a serene facial expression
10. Dying without distress
11. Entering heaven after death, without needing deep insight

The Buddha reminded his followers that true charity is practiced with a heart full of kindness and sympathy for all living creatures, without exception. This selfless generosity, he explained, leads to a rebirth in heaven.

To reinforce his lesson, the Buddha shared the story of the Bodhisatta’s past life. He explained that the Bodhisatta’s fellow ascetics were none other than his disciples in this present life, showing them the profound effect of practicing kindness and generosity.

Moral of the Story: Generosity, practiced with a pure heart and without expectation, brings countless blessings in this life and the next. It protects us, brings comfort, and leads to rebirth in heaven. Through kindness and charity, we cultivate a peaceful mind, serene existence, and an ultimately blissful future.