Celebrating Kindness: 20 Quotes from Tsem Rinpoche
Rinpoche with his adoptive mother Dana. Rinpoche visited her for the last time before he went to India to be ordained as a monk. Rinpoche was 22 years old then. Rinpoche brought roses for Dana as she loved them. This was the last time Rinpoche saw her. She passed away on October 15, 2005. In the picture, Rinpoche is wearing a gold Buddha Shakyamuni pendant that Dana gave him years ago. Rinpoche loved this pendant and Dana herself also wore one always. The pendants that Rinpoche had conceptualised, designed and created for Kechara are inspired by the pendant Dana gave Rinpoche.
In Malaysia, the months of May and June are notable because we come together to celebrate the kindness of two of the most cherished people in our lives — our mother and father. Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May and Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday in June. May is also an important time to honour and recognise the important roles that teachers play in our lives, with Teacher’s Day on May 16th.
“How kind our mothers are to us.
How kind our fathers are to us.
How kind our teachers are to us.
All of us have someone very kind in our lives that nurtured us.
Never forget their kindness.
Never live your life like you did it on your own…impossible.”
– Tsem Rinpoche, Do it for mom!
Rinpoche always emphasised that we should not make excuses to avoid the responsibility of repaying the kindness of the people who have helped us, especially our parents. However, there are more (and better) ways to do this rather than simply taking them out for a meal, or giving them cards and presents.
Instead, we can strive through our actions AND words not to disappoint, exploit, abandon or harm those who have been kind to us. We can transform ourselves to become better people for them, by benefiting others, by engaging in Dharma practice and Dharma work, and dedicating the merits to them. This not only makes us good people but is also the basis to some of the higher teachings in Buddhist practice. To illustrate this point, Rinpoche shared how Buddha Shakyamuni showed gratitude towards his parents,
“Buddha left the palace and upset his father and all who loved him very much. But when he attained enlightenment, he returned to the palace to preach the Dharma to them and liberated them, remembering their kindness of the past…”
Here are 20 tweets from Rinpoche providing practical advice on the importance of kindness and how to practise it. Let’s celebrate kindness by embodying it in our daily actions and create ripples of positivity in the world.
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.
Why We Should Be Kind
- If someone has been kind to you, repay it because they are worth it.
1:38 PM · Dec 7, 2017
- In the short time we have left we can be kind, honest, loving & responsible or the opposite. Either way there are ramifications.
9:29 AM · Dec 11, 2017
- What do you get from being kind??? Love & friendship!!!
10:06 AM · Nov 2, 2009
- Sufferings continue & we can’t stop all of it. But let’s stop some of it. Be kind to everyone. Be kind to animals & earth also.
5:04 AM · Jan 11, 2010
- Being kind is not hard as it is our true nature, inherent in all of us otherwise Buddhahood would not be possible.
8:01 AM · Jun 27, 2012
- If you are kind, you collect an energy that leads to you being praised by both human and gods.
4:01 AM · Apr 10, 2013
- When we are kind, we have no fears.
10:51 AM · May 5, 2013
- Being kind to others costs us nothing but some money. But we gain so much more — humanity.
7:56 PM · Jun 10, 2013
- Being kind is the highest form of meditation.
6:35 PM · Dec 11, 2016
- Roses are red, violets are blue, if you’re kind, you’ll smell good too! Hehe 🙂
7:35 PM · Jan 7, 2010
How to Be Kind
- Be kind whenever there is an opportunity. Look for the opportunity.
3:47 AM · Feb 21, 2019
- Being kind to people that are closest around you & stick with you is the start of your Dharma practice. Be kind to those near you FIRST.
3:06 AM · Apr 3, 2010
- Remember all those who have helped you no matter your relationship with them now & repay their kindness openly.
8:59 AM · Jun 27, 2013
- Think of one person in your life who always takes care of you, gives you gifts, is kind to you. What have you done for them recently?
8:24 PM · Dec 11, 2009
- In order to repay the kindness of our parents we should be independent, live on our own, stand on our own, so as they age they don’t worry.
6:09 PM · Apr 10, 2013
- If you have a root Guru or lama that’s giving you Dharma instruction, repay their kindness by supporting their work.
6:28 AM · Nov 9, 2009
- Don’t be a Buddha, don’t be a bodhisattva, don’t be a saint, JUST BE A REALLY KIND PERSON to everyone you meet, everyday.
4:53 PM · Oct 3, 2009
- Being kind is easy when we see others as the same as ourselves.
10:48 AM · Nov 25, 2017
- Be kind to even those who are not kind. You will help them see another way.
2:56 PM · May 11, 2013
- When we are kind to others, they may not be kind back, but don’t give up.
11:09 AM · Sep 15, 2014
November 11, 2015 at around 10.00 pm — Rinpoche distributed hot drinks and snacks to frontliners during a major landslide on Karak Highway. Bentong was one of the many places affected by a flood.
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:
- Serving
- The Power of Ruchok
- Dogs in Tibetan Monasteries
- A Compilation of SMS Teachings
- Healing Practices for Infectious Diseases
- The Power of Giving: 18 Quotes from Tsem Rinpoche
- Gaining Inner & Outer Wealth: 18 Quotes from Tsem Rinpoche
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Reading this blog kindly reminded us of the most cherished people in our lives that’s our parents. Mother’s Day that is on this Sunday 12th of May and Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday in June. Teachers Day too important ……a day to honour and recognise their roles in our lives. Rinpoche always emphasised that we should not avoid the responsibility of repaying the kindness of the people who have helped us in our life. The only true way to honour and repay their kindness is to let them know that their kindness meant a lot to us . Do something good for them or someone else as this practice ultimately gives enormous power and possibilities for positive effects in many lives not just our own life. Simple saying thank you and expressing our appreciation can go a long way.
Reading all those powerful quotes by Rinpoche gives us a lesson and example.
Thank you Rinpoche and writers team for sharing
You are too awesome Rinpoche.