Dana...Dharma...Sadaqa...Tzedakah

Imagine if you had the Ultimate GPS, and you could type in a wish, instead of a destination. If you typed in ‘Charity’, what route do you suppose would be suggested? Well, that all depends on where you’re starting from. While it’s almost always a good rule to never discuss religion or politics, it would be a sad omission to not acknowledge the occasions when they do, uncannily, arrive at the same point of Caring.

Buddhists have a required action called ‘Dana’, a fundamental believe of giving and sharing, without anticipating any return or benefit to the giver. Physical labour is ‘sweat dana’, so literally, Anything you can do counts. (Think ‘intention’, because you’ll be seeing that word turn up regularly.)

Let’s continue alphabetically…Christianity adopted concepts of Judaism when it came to charity, as evidenced by the Old Testament, as well as the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Corinthians may sum it up the best as far as generosity and empathy. To paraphrase, ‘As you sew, so shall you reap.’ Just as telling was the idea to ‘give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’ 

Hinduism does not disagree. ‘The entire purpose of our life on this earth is to benefit others through one’s life, possessions, thoughts and words’, and that ‘He who saves the life of a troubled person obtains three fruits of charity…’   

Is the need to care about others simply a universal truth? In Islam, righteous actions are considered ‘Sadaqa’, which comes from the Arabic word for truth, ‘Sadq’. And, much like other beliefs, charity has an all-encompassing definition Sadaqa (which is voluntary) can take the form of offering time, kindness, insight…even a smile. Sharing a physically demanding job , volunteering…a single thoughtful act meets the definition of sadaqa. The Quaran says, Those who spend in charity will be richly rewarded.’

One more word that may have been typed into the spiritual GPS: ‘Tzedakah’. While it is the closest Hebrew word to ‘philanthropy’, its full meaning in Judaism refers to a belief in social justice, and describes not only the generous donor, but anyone helping to distribute the gift, as well as the people needing it. The service is never done To someone; tzedakah is done with someone. In Hebrew, the word to give is ‘natan’, so it reads the same, backwards and forwards. To give and to receive is all part of the same concept.

It seems fitting to finish with the beliefs of the peoples who have lived here for millenia. With over six hundred First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada, there are understandably differing customs and beliefs. But, just as with all the other belief systems already listed, there is a remarkable commonality. Traditional concepts of sharing and respect are crucial, and all based on the seven natural laws, or Seven Sacred Teachings. 

Wherever humanity occurs, Goodness seems to be an idea that is reinvented, or rediscovered..along with the idea that society as a whole can advance when we think about those who are somehow being left behind.

Let Link Charity help you direct your desire to care in the most effective and efficient way. Because, Kindness, by any other name, is just as sweet. And neededThe body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.