"Although generosity is one of the things one must do to attain [the state of peace], when the Buddha was asked where a gift should be given (SN 3:24), he responded, “Wherever the mind feels confidence.” This means that if we regard social action as a gift, there is no need to seek the Buddha's sanction for feeling inspired to give in that way; we can just go ahead and do it — as long as our actions conform with the precepts. But it also means that we cannot use his words to impose a sense of obligation on others that they should give in the same way." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "The Buddha via the Bible: How Western Buddhists read the Pali Canon"
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