Leading a discussion on forgiveness
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Dharma Guide Training 
Oct 28, 2001 Afternoon session of the October 28 workshop conducted at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Singapore on October 27-28 and November 26, 2001
Establishing a topic and reflection questions
- What does it mean to forgive?
- Who do you want to forgive?
- What prevents you from forgiving?
- How can you forgive yourself and have an open heart?
Trg III 01: Forgiving (download)
Group’s reflections on forgiveness exercise
- Hardest to forgive those we are closest to
- Forgiveness benefits the other and self so healing can occur
- Separate the person from the act
- We think that by not forgiving, we are punishing the person and they will reform and change, but that doesn’t really happen
Trg III 02: Forgiving (download)
Emotions and forgiveness
- Dealing with memories
- The mind as creator of our experience
- Layers of forgiveness
- Global dimension
- Reduce hurt and anger through “letting go”
Trg III 03: Forgiving (download)
Steps for leading a discussion
- Summarize what will happen
- Do breathing meditation
- Review each question
- Instruct how to do groups (length each person speaks, etc.)
- Remind about the questions
- Break into groups
- Debrief, restate with the prominent points, pull different perspectives together.
Trg III 04: Review (download)
More tips and homework
- Instruct group on their behavior towards the leader
- Size of groups, planning ahead
Trg III 05: Tips and homework (download)
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.
