The Noble Giving (Second Discourse)

In that case, Sāriputta, he does not give a gift with expectations, with a bound mind, looking for rewards; he does not give a gift, [thinking]: Having passed away, I will make use of this.

He does not give a gift, [thinking]: Giving is good. He does not give a gift, [thinking]: Giving was practiced before by my father and forefathers; I should not abandon this ancient family custom.

He does not give a gift, [thinking]: I cook; these people do not cook. It isn’t right that I who cook should not give to those who do not cook, but rather he gives a gift, [thinking]: Just as he sees of the elders — that is, Aṭṭhaka, Vāmaka, Vāma heavenly being, Vessāmitta, Yamataggi, Aṅgīrasa, Bhāradvāja, Vāseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu — held those great sacrifices, so I will share a gift.

He does not give a gift, [thinking]: When I am giving a gift my mind becomes tranquil, and energy and joy arise, but rather he gives a gift, [thinking]: It’s an enhancement of the mind, an accessory of the mind.

He gives that gift to an Ascetic or a Brāhmin: food and drink; clothing and vehicles; garlands, scents, and ointments; bedding, dwellings, and lighting. Having given such a gift, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in companionship with the heavenly beings of Brahmā’s (God’s) company. Having exhausted that Kamma, psychic potency, glory, and authority, he does not come back and return to this state of being.

(Reference: AN 7.52)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares guidance that helps a Practitioner understand the true goal and objective of sharing a gift through the practicing of generosity. The objective is to train the mind to eliminate craving/desire/attachment (i.e. enhancement of the mind, an accessory of the mind).

He does not give a gift, [thinking]: ‘When I am giving a gift my mind becomes tranquil, and energy and joy arise’, but rather he gives a gift, [thinking]: ‘It’s an enhancement of the mind, an accessory of the mind’.

In other words, a Practitioner should give a gift without expectations or for any of the other reasons previously shared. Instead, a Practitioner should practice generosity because they know it allows them to eliminate selfishness to cultivate the mind eliminating craving/desire/attachment. This enhances one’s life practice by improving the condition of the mind bringing it closer to Enlightenment.

A Practitioner would be unable to attain Enlightenment with selfishness residing in the mind as there would still be craving/desire/attachment leading to discontentedness and rebirth in The Cycle of Rebirth.