Giving Without Expectations

🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A  2025. 3. 31.🔹Question:  Thank you very much. I'm truly honored to havethis wonderful chance to ask a question. Here is my question. Through many Dharma talks that have been given by you, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, I learned that even though theredoes not exist direct cause and effect, for example, if you do good things, the reward will come back eventually, causality exists, which is why we should be kind, merciful, and benevolent to others. However, to me, this doesn't soundlike the concept of giving without expecting anything in return or philanthropic giving without expecting the reward. The most compelling and persuasive reason I found so far is that you should be merciful, do good, and be kind to your neighbor because you will get the immediate reward as soon as you do a good deed. It cleans your mind, cultivates moral sense, and elevates your spirit. And this reward is incomparable to anything in the world. I don't fully accept this argument because it suggests that we do good for ourselves.Wouldn't it be selfish? But the Buddha said, "In the heavens above and the earth beneath, I alone am the honored one." So, probably, it's ok. I would appreciate if you could shed light on this perspective. I'm afraid that this way of thinking may be arrogant because I may reject all other ideas taught bygreat teachers but stick to one reason that I found. So, your teaching will be appreciated.  🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/ 🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint