From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Six of Coins; from the Post Psychedelic Cyberpunk, the City:
A person of integrity gives a gift with a sense of conviction. A person of integrity gives a gift attentively. A person of integrity gives a gift in season. A person of integrity gives a gift with an empathetic heart. A person of integrity gives a gift without adversely affecting himself or others.
—Anguttara Nikaya 5.148 (trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu)
The Six of Coins combined with the City points to what can be so hard about generosity. In a small community, people are well aware of who has lost a job, a family member or is experiencing illness and can respond appropriately. But in a city with thousands of residents, most people are strangers, especially those with cardboard signs asking for money. Yet the Buddha's words do offer us some guidelines for giving with discernment. We give when convinced of a need, without indifference, at the appropriate time, with compassion for their suffering, and without causing harm to the giver or receiver.
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