Sekishin: What is meant by ‘Do not begrudge the sharing of Buddhist teachings and other things, but give them freely?’

Gudo: It is the precept of not being covetous, greedy or possessive of anything, of the ‘Dharma’ which is everything in this world. As well, ‘Dharma’ also means the wisdom and knowledge taught by Gautama Buddha regarding the order of the universe. Thus, it refers to the treasure which is the teachings of the Buddha, as well as to all the treasures to be found in this world. Accordingly, ‘Do not begrudge the sharing of Buddhist teachings and other things, but give them freely’ means not to overly distinguish in our minds between, nor to be possessive in our hearts of, that which is ‘ours’ and that which belongs to ‘others.’

8. I will use all of the ingredients of my life. This is the practice of Not Being Stingy. I will not foster a mind of poverty in myself or others. 

The Bonmo-kyo (The Brahma Net Sutra), a ‘Sutra’ likely of Chinese origin but fundamental to the Master Dogen’s view of the Precepts, states …

8. Eighth Major Precept On Stinginess and Abuse

A disciple of the Buddha must not be stingy or encourage others to be stingy. He should not create the causes, conditions, methods, or karma of stinginess. As a Bodhisattva, whenever a destitute person comes for help, he should give that person what he needs. If instead, out of anger and resentment, he denies all assistance — refusing to help with even a penny, a needle, a blade of grass, even a single sentence or verse or a phrase of Dharma, but instead scolds and abuses that person — he commits a Parajika offense. (NOTE: An ordained bhikkhu who commits any ‘Parajika’ offenses severs himself irrevocably from the life of the Sangha and is no longer considered a bhikkhu.)

VIII. To seek as you can, in this body and life, to refrain from stinginess in bestowing the Buddhist Teachings and all precious things