I vow not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give freely when needed.
Here we are back to the question: what does it mean to possess something? The concept of giving presupposes that one possesses something. It also presupposes that an object that can be given exists. So there are many false assumptions here. However, precepts are skillful means, so they must speak in the language of deception so that people who function in a conventional way can direct and organize their lives in a wholesome way.
The ego has a tendency to accumulate goods because it believes that more goods will protect it from death. The ability to be generous overcomes this tendency and weakens the ego.
In addition, generosity has an effect on others, because when someone is generous to us, we are more likely to be generous to others.
Accumulating things does not make people happy. The more you own, the more you are worried about losing it.
On the other hand, if someone is deprived of something they desperately need, that person may become desperate and resort to violence. Unfortunately, violence has a tendency to come back.
There are two sides to generosity: giving and receiving. I believe that the more that is exchanged, the richer the world becomes. Giving and receiving is love. So more “transactions” means more love.
I think mental health can be measured by the ability to ask, receive, and be grateful, as well as the ability to be sensitive, give, and not expect anything in return. Many people do not find it easy to give and receive. I think receiving can be more difficult because a person has to become aware of their lack of something and their limitations in self-sufficiency.
