Buddhism on the Curriculum: Learning to Give… 

The best education comes from the most difficult schools. If the school is easy, then the education will be bad. This is foundational to the Vajrayana School of Buddhism, which sees a lesson in every encounter and a gift in every curse, according to the thinking of the Dalai Lama, he well-schooled in the arts of suffering at the hands of their Chinese hordes and masters. But Buddhism is not transactional, unlike many of the other affairs of life. It shouldn’t matter whether you will get anything from Buddhism or not. 

The most important thing is what you can give. This is the essence of karma, samma kammanta, right actions. There are no right transactions or right deals. But right livelihood, right views, and right speech are at the heart of what matters in this life in this world. Because if you are looking to get something, then you will always be disappointed. But if you are looking to give something, then there will always be takers. If your intent is good and right, then don’t worry about theirs. 

This is foundational and the primary act of faith on the part of the practitioner. And if the concept of faith sounds false, then be sure that it’s not. The best faith is based on facts, not fiction. The trick is to know the difference, first time and every time, hence the reliance on factuality, or the best guess. Like almost everything, intent is critical. If you are trying to be factual, then you will likely come close. Do that and leave the guessing games for the children. Dharma is simple. Don’t confuse issues.