Does Dana prolong samsara?

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Some have the wrong belied that dana prolongs samsara (cycle of rebirths). In the story of the two friends, we have seen that the one who gave charity was not late in attaining nibbana. Therefore, it is illogical to assert that dana prolongs samsara. In fact, the impurity of the mind of the donor responsible for the round of rebirths. One's lustful greed to enjoy the luxuries of humans and devas for the dana given causes one to linger in the cycle of samsara.

Some erroneously say that Buddha himself has to struggle loger in samsara because he cherishes dana in every existence. This is absolutely untrue. Due to dana parami (perfection of charity) an infinite number of Buddhas have attained supreme enlightenment while we all are still swimming along the stream of death and rebirths.

Can we attribute this to our danas which far exceed those of the Buddhas? The Bodhisatta Vessantara who gave charity in an unprecedented magnitude attained Buddhahood after only two existence. Therefore it is quite obvious that dana is not the cause of long sufferings in samsara.

We have now seen that dana does not lengthen samsara. Its is only our consciousness soiled with tanha (lust) that plays a great influence upon us and prolong the samsara. All Bodhisattas strive only for Sabbannuta Nana (Omniscient Wisdom) and they have to wander around in samsara until all essential paramis requisite for are being fulfilled.

They have to accumulate the wisdom deserving of a Buddha. An apt analogy would be a mango fruit. It will not ripen until and unless it is mature.

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