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Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche teaches through verse, pointing out the essence of a teaching.  Enjoy the quotes.

 

The Practice of Generosity

 

Khenpo Tsültrim
Gyamtso Rinpoche

 

Quote of the Week

July 12, 2013

 

 

 

The Practice of Generosity

Practice 25: The First Paramita - Giving Generously

     If those who aspire to enlightenment willingly give up their bodies,
     What need is there to mention external objects?
     Therefore with no hope of reward or benefit,
     To give with generosity is the practice of a Bodhisattva.
 

Why is the practice of generosity necessary? Someone who wishes to attain enlightenment must be ready, like the Buddha himself, to make the ultimate offering of his body. In several of his lives as a Bodhisattva, the Teacher gave his own body. Many other Bodhisattvas have done the same.

If, in order to attain enlightenment, you need to be ready to surrender your own body, then offering merely our possessions is hardly worth mentioning. Therefore, with no hope of reward or karmic benefit, you must give generously to practice like a Bodhisattva.

 

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, From The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, 1993, p. 116.

Translated by Susanne Schefczyk.