Nagarjuna's Definition of a Charitable Bodhisattva

[Shi Da Dao]

'Although the bodhisattva understands the true nature of things he still gives rise to the thought that he should continue to work and does acts of merit; this is because he has for long cultivated the heart of great companion. At the time when there arises in him the comprehension of the true nature of things, there shines forth the great compassion too. It is this heart of great compassion that helps him to overcome the temptations to efface his individuality and saves him from rushing to seize the complete Nirvana. The sastra observes that it is his cultivation of the perfection of effort that helps him in this regard; it enables him to put forth energy to work for the world. The heart of compassion, the thought of service, is thus fortified by the perfection of effort, even as the fire that is about to become extinct is vivified by wind and fuel. The act of charity done in the spirit of non-clinging is free from pride and all other factors of bondage that follow from it. When done with the clinging mind it would no doubt be an act of charity but not its perfection. It would then be a worldly act that binds one and not the trandcending act thart liberates. While the cultivation of charity is essential, one's clinging to it is to be rejected.'

Nagarjuna's Philosophy: By K Venkata Ramanan - Pages 282-283.