The Power of Giving: 18 Quotes from Tsem Rinpoche
Generosity is one of the Six Perfections, or the six far-reaching attitudes that are practised by Bodhisattvas who have the superior motivation of attaining enlightenment for the sake of all living beings. Practising generosity brings many benefits, such as cutting away our miserliness and creating causes for us to receive material resources. At the same time, it also helps to alleviate poverty in the world, and allows us to build good relationships with others.
When we start practising generosity, we may feel either encouraged or discouraged depending on the responses of the recipients. However, as we progress, we should focus more on our sense of universal responsibility or the spiritual reasons behind our acts of kindness, and not be affected by how the recipient responds. As mentioned by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, who founded Kechara Soup Kitchen, one of the largest and oldest soup kitchens in Malaysia:
“When I gave to the homeless in the past, I received many types of responses. Some thanked me and talked to me. Some wanted more. Some didn’t want food but money instead. Some stared at me that I would give them anything. Some screamed and ran away. Some just ran.
So, I had so many reactions. But you see, how they reacted is okay. I know my intent. I gave and it was between me and my Buddha. Buddha would want me to serve others and benefit others and that is all that matters in the big end.”
Below are 18 tweets from Rinpoche that we would like to share with you about giving and generosity. May all benefit from Rinpoche’s sincere advice to reach the far shore of liberation.
This teaching is part of the Tsem Rinpoche Wisdom Treasury – the collected works, writings and teachings of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. To learn more about the project and how you can be a part of it, please click here.
- Gifts are meant to be shared. And sharing Dharma gifts will help us realize the need of giving to cut off our attachments.
9:19 PM · Oct 2, 2013
- Kindness and giving makes the giver richer.
1:14 AM · Jan 24, 2013
- Dharma work is about giving.
5:02 PM · Jan 14, 2013
- Giving to others is not an effort when you realise you are the least important and everyone else matters more than ourselves.
5:00 PM · Feb 4, 2013
- Precept #2: Not Stealing – Try this: Practice generosity. Give alms to the Sangha.
7:12 PM · May 15, 2013
- Love is not getting what you want but GIVING what others need without agenda.
12:22 PM · May 19, 2014
- Gifts are an expression of generosity, appreciation and care.
11:25 PM · Jul 31, 2014
- When we give, we also receive so much in return.
12:24 PM · Jul 28, 2014
- You deserve what you give. The universe owes you nothing. But you owe the universe everything.
5:39 PM · Jul 13, 2014
- Being Humble doesn’t mean you lose; it means you have won. GIVE the Victory to others.
2:22 PM · Jun 21, 2014
- You will feel better focusing OUT, than focusing In. Continue to give tirelessly.
12:48 PM · Dec 22, 2013
- When we give water to the homeless, we remember the 8 properties of water & its benefits so we gain tremendous merits.
1:27 AM · Apr 20, 2014
- — Losing Face — To be a leader, an example, or a good person we have to always give the credit to others.
10:27 PM · Apr 17, 2014
- When we find it difficult to give something away, it’s because we are feeling a lack of love or looking for love.
7:01 AM · Jan 7, 2014
- The best gift u can give ur partner/friend/spouse is integrity. Always do what u promise.
4:47 PM · Nov 8, 2013
- You experience Compassion when you give it, not when you receive it.
12:38 PM · Jun 10, 2013
- Life is not about how much we get, it’s about how much we give to others.
7:51 PM · Apr 2, 2013
- Give some care and love to our lovely old folks. Talk to them, share with them…make them happy when you are there.
5:58 PM · Oct 26, 2012
This teaching is part of the Tsem Rinpoche Wisdom Treasury – the collected works, writings and teachings of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. To learn more about the project and how you can be a part of it, please click here.
For more interesting information:
- It’s not between you and the recipient
- Introduction to the Six Perfections
- Yesterday I experienced true generosity…
- Why I Conceived of Kechara Soup Kitchen or KSK
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Wow ,reading all these powerful quotes had me realised much better of giving even I have little. May H E Tsem Rinpoche’s sincere advice to reach the far shore of liberation to everyone reading this blog. The most truly generous people are those who give silently without asking any in return. There is no exercise better than reaching and lifting people up. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. Well creating and lighting for others we naturally light our own way. Helping others especially those unfortunate ones, make us feel more positive about our own circumstances.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing all these powerful quotes.