พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าผู้ที่เกิดมาสนับสนุนงานพระพุทธศาสนาได้แบ่งบทบาทกันไว้ตั้งแต่ก่อนเกิด ฆราวาสผู้หาทรัพย์ได้มีหน้าที่เกื้อกูลฝ่ายที่เผยแผ่ธรรม ส่วนจุดพอดีในการทำบุญไม่ได้อยู่ที่จำนวนเงินหรือเปอร์เซ็นต์ แต่อยู่ที่ "ดวงศรัทธา" ที่จะเหนี่ยวนำพลังบุญมาให้สำเร็จตามความปรารถนาPra Ajarn explains that those born to support the work of Buddhism had their roles divided before birth — laypeople who can earn a living support those who spread the teaching. The right amount to give isn't a sum or a percentage; it comes down to the strength of one's faith, which draws in the power of merit to fulfill a wish.
Someone asked: growing up around the temple, I kept hearing stories of people who gave everything they had — donating their last savings and seeing miraculous results, or of poor vendors whose generosity paid off spectacularly — until it became almost ingrained that we must give as much as possible. But Pra Ajarn has said we don't need to give so extravagantly. So where is the right balance? Is there a rule, like a percentage of income the way secular tithing works, especially now that I don't have as much to give as before, yet still want to give a lot?
Roles Assigned Before Birth
Pra Ajarn explains that before descending to be born, those who intended to support the work of Buddhism had already divided their roles — the provisions group, the teaching group, the practice group, and the group handling ceremonial duties. Each person then takes up their assigned role as a human being. Laypeople who can run a business or earn a living have the duty to support those who cannot — the ordained, whose role is to spread the teaching. Since spreading the requires resources to flourish, wealth becomes the tool that makes it possible.
The Right Amount Is About Faith, Not the Sum
Pra Ajarn recalls the teaching given every year at the annual robe-offering ceremony: even when devotees had given until their pockets were empty, the aim was never the money itself, but proving the power of the Triple Gem through the strength of faith. The greater the faith, the brighter and clearer the mind becomes, able to draw in great fortune — because faith is the one thing capable of producing this particular kind of deep joy. Faith develops in stages: acceptance, belief, respect, reverence, devotion — each a step toward the mind's brightness. So the question isn't how much or how little we give, but how much faith we've cultivated.
A Story from Personal Experience
Pra Ajarn shares his own experience as a monk who, unable to earn an income, had to set his own "fund" and work toward inner until it felt complete — the way one simply knows when they're full after a meal. Once that fullness was reached, the right person would appear to offer exactly what was needed, an exchange of the subtle treasure born of merit rather than something received for free. For those whose meditation hasn't yet reached that same fullness, their sphere of faith becomes the link to the same sacred ocean of merit — however much faith they have is however much they can do. What matters is : being sfied with what we have and can offer.
Faith Is the Heart of Success
Pra Ajarn recalls a woman who, upon hearing the fund for a coming ceremony had opened, was so joyful she couldn't sleep all night — and by morning went out asking people to join in giving. Strangely, everyone she asked agreed. This is the power of a sphere of faith drawing in the current of merit. Even a small donation can return subtle treasure and blueprints of accomplishment of immense value. It all comes down to faith alone — not the amount or the percentage — as long as that faith is genuine, unwavering against voice whispering "it's impossible." Success will follow.