Generosity--The Emotional Binding Agent
Ajahn Khemasiri

Generosity represents the emotional binding agent in every community, in every relationship between even just two people.
In some Asian cultures, especially those who have integrated Dhamma values, generous conduct is practised daily from early on. Small children are taught, for example, to place some small offering into the alms-bowls of the monks. One is ready to assist the young donor when sometimes the small fist has some difficulty in opening up. They don’t quite understand the background of this small morning ritual, but intuit that something very valuable is happening because the adults demonstrate respect and offer praise when finally the hand is opening to give.
In this way, wholesome seeds are planted within the psyche of the small personality. One learns early on that giving is connected with joy and mustn’t necessarily hurt.
As a consequence of this initially mere ritual act, a wholesome habit can evolve. This habit will become part of the subsequent character structure and represents very good prerequisites so that all the other wholesome virtues and practices recommended by the Buddha can blossom and eventually bear fruit.
This reflection by Ajahn Khemasiri is from, Forest Sangha Newsletter, #93, 2014, (pdf) pp. 39.