“If the perfection of generosity
Were the alleviation of the world’s poverty,
Then since beings are still starving now
In what manner did the previous Buddhas perfect it?
The perfection of generosity is said to be
The thought to give all beings everything,
Together with the fruit of such a thought.
Hence it is simply a state of mind.”
~ Santideva, “Bodhicaryavatara”
Santideva on Generosity
