Dana

Dana

(a gift), the term used by Buddhists of Ceylon to denote alms. Alms given to priests are restricted to four articles only-robes, food, a pallet to lie upon, and medicine or sick diet. Almsgiving is the first of virtues among the Buddhists, and superior to the observance of all the precepts. It brings a greatly increased reward in a future birth, including, if the duty be properly discharged, both wealth and attendants.