Giving Without Characteristics | The Six Paramitas

Giving without characteristics means giving freely, without self-oriented motivation. It includes the gift of wealth, the gift of the Dharma, and the gift of fearlessness. The wealth that one may give freely without characteristics, includes material wealth, time, knowledge (including speech), and one’s own body. Giving material wealth, including money is fairly obvious, but giving one’s time and knowledge are also ways of practicing the first paramita. For example, for a very wealthy person to give a little bit of money may be less meritorious than for a poor person to give a lot of their time and knowledge. Giving one’s body includes one’s strength and energy, but it also includes literally giving part of one’s physical body, such as offering skin to burn victims, or donating organs for transplant. You can be an organ donor while alive, or after death. But when you are alive, you would want to consider carefully before donating any parts of your body.

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