When you donate, there are three factors to consider in order to be a strong and good karma to receive better returns in the cycle of rebirth.
First one is ‘accomplishment of mind’ (purity of mind or Chitta-sampatti).
This means giving with a clear mind without any greed, hatred or delusion. Meaning of “without delusions” is believing in the Karma and accepting the following realities; Such as there is rebirth after death, there is a reward(karmic result) for what is given, there is a reward for great alms, there is a reward for good deeds, and rarely in the world there are sages who develop their mind through meditation and reach the eternal happiness of nirvana.
As much as he knows about Karma, the result is powerful in the good side. Before the giving, when giving and after the giving, the mind should be clear and happy about it. There should be no hidden goal such as becoming famous by giving. If you have a goal of becoming famous by giving, then the resulting Karma is less powerful. It is said that, if someone gives with the mind of "With this good Karma, may I receive eternal happiness Nirvana" This is the best possible giving that can support him in the cycle of rebirth. "With this good Karma, may I be reborn in heavenly world" is not that good.
The second one is ‘accomplishment of object’ (Vastu-sampatti).
This means that the object you donate must be your own thing and you should have received it in a right way. Also, the things you are giving should be arranged in a better way, you should give in an honorable way, you should give by your own hand, you should give something that is not useless (If you give a useless thing still there is a result but not a better result).Third one is ‘accomplishment of receiver’ (Pratigrahaka-sampatti).
This means that the recipient should have good virtues. Best possible receiver is a Lord Buddha with Sangha (Sanghika-dana). If you could give one spoon of food to a Lord Buddha, the Karma from that deed may be enough to be in heavens for many eons and become human king for more than 1000 times. But giving Dharma (ultimate reality) knowledge is the most powerful giving. It is said that giving Dharma knowledge is better than the giving life (protecting his life).
It would be a great blessing if anyone could give even one donation with these things. That single donation will bring him much of the joy in his cycle of rebirth. If one does a donation without knowing these things, there is a result but not a good one. But when you are killing, if you know about Karma the bad result is reduced, since then you are a bit afraid of killing. When you kill with a wicked and angry mind, the result is powerful in a bad way. When you kill a large animal you have to put a great effort. So when it is large, Karma is powerful in a bad way. Also, Karma will be powerful in a bad way when the receiver is virtuous. No one (a god, Mara or a Brahma) can kill a Lord Buddha, so the result is not explained. There are many stories where people went to hells just by blaming Lord Buddha.
Giving without seeking anything in return, leads to greater spiritual wealth and it reduces the greed (Lobha). But giving with the mind of "With this good Karma I may receive eternal happiness Nirvana" (without expecting any worldly things) is the best as it returns good deeds in the cycle of rebirth and also helps to achieve Nirvana. To reach eternal happiness, all beings must complete giving in some level as a perfection (Pāramitā).
To become a Lord Buddha, one should complete ten types of requirements(perfections) in three ways.
Those ten types of requirements are called “Ten Perfections”. Those are generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom(discernment), energetic diligence, endurance(patience), truthfulness, determination, goodwill(loving-kindness), and equanimity. Cultivating the virtue of generosity (or giving as donations) is the first perfection. To attain Buddhahood, anyone must fulfill giving (donations) in a great manner in three ways. Regular Perfection(Pāramī), Higher Perfection (Upa-Pāramī) and Highest Perfection (Paramattha-Pāramī). Giving out some objects (outside of the body) such as children, wives or assets is the regular perfection; giving organs such as hands, feet or blood,..etc. is the higher perfection; giving own life is the highest perfection.
Lord Buddha donated more blood than seawater in his cycle of rebirth to complete one of thirty requirements to become a Buddha. When thinking about other donations; Buddha had donated his wives, daughters, eyes, also their own life numerous times to complete only the Dāna-Paramita. There is a story in 'Sivi-Jathaka' in 'Jataka Tales'. In this story King Sivi donated both of his eyes.
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