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Perfection of generosity: Non-material giving

Perfection of generosity: Non-material giving

A series of teachings given by Venerable Thubten Chodron during a weekend retreat at Sravasti Abbey from September 2 to 5, 2022. The teachings were based on the text Nagarjuna on the Six Perfections.

  • Patience as fortitude – an inner strength to endure challenges
  • Three kinds of fortitude
    • To endure harmful acts or critism of others
    • To endure suffering such as injury or pain
    • To study the dharma
  • How regretting a virtuous action can pollute its positive karma
  • Directing the intention of our virtuous generosity for its beneficial use by receivers
  • Giving without obligation and with joy and confidence
  • Counteracting the tendency to pick faults
    • Avoiding withdrawing love when offering feedback or discipline
    • Increasing tendency to point out people’s good qualities
  • Generosity of offering reverence or respect
    • Offering praise to buddhas, bodhisattvas and other holy beings
      • How such praise transforms our own minds to recognize good qualities
      • The story of the elephant, monkey and bird, demonstrating the quality of respectfulness through mere action, not words.
  • Generosity of offering protection 
  • Generosity of offering love
    • How we can relax our mind so we can help more people or beings that need love, understanding, or protection
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.