Date post: | 07-Jul-2015 |
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SMALL SCOPE
precious human rebirthCORRECTLY RELYING ON A TEACHER
MIDDLE SCOPE
GREAT SCOPE
what needs to be overcome
aspiration
practices of that scope
what needs to be overcome
aspiration
practices of small scope
future lives happinessmanifest negative
afflictions
refuge & 10 virtuous actions
what needs to be overcome
aspiration
practices of middle scope
liberation from samsaraafflictions that are the
root
3 higher trainings
what needs to be overcome
aspiration
practices of great scope
enlightenment for others welfare
subtle imprints left by the afflictions
6 perfections & 4 means
Generosity
Ethics
Patience
Joyous Effort
Concentration
Wisdom
gen
ero
sity what is it?
why give?
how to give
how not to give?
What is the nature of generosity? It is the
intention accompanying bodhisattvas'
disinterested non-attachment to all their
possessions and their body, and, motivated by
this, the physical and verbal actions of giving the
things to be given.
Bodhisattva Levels, LRCM II, p. 115
If the perfection of generosity Were the alleviation of migrating beings’ poverty, Then since there are still starving migrating beings, In what manner did the previous Protectors perfect it?
Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds vs 5.9
The perfection of generosity is taught to be
The mind intending to give all things,
As well as its result, to all beings;
Hence it is simply the mind.
Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds vs 5.10
Therefore, the physical and verbal aspects of
generosity are not the main thing; the main thing
is the mental aspect.
Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115
this is because you perfect generosity after you
destroy your stingy clinging to all that you own -
your body, resources, and roots of virtue
Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115
and you completely condition your mind to
giving them away to living beings from the
depths of your heart
GIVINGmaterial things
KARMIC RESULTS
material things
GIVINGDharma
KARMIC RESULTS• your mind continuously improves• in the future you will easily gain realisations
GIVINGprotection
KARMIC RESULTS• long and healthy life• free from anxiety & fear
What if we decide to give something to others, and then use it for ourselves: is this stealing?
why give?
Meditate on the faults of holding
onto things and the benefits
of giving them away
Lama Tsongkhapa, LRCM II, p. 115
“Not wanting to share is the root of many problems
throughout the world – from small scale arguments to
murder and warfare.” Geshe Sopa, Steps on the Path to
Enlightenment, Volume III, p. 258
The wise praise giving wealth away,Childish persons like to hoard it;No wealth is kept by holding on to it;From giving it away excellence always arises.
Compendium of perfections, LRCM II, p. 117
Body, life and resources
fluctuate like water gushing
down a steep mountain.
Lama Tsongkhapa, middle lamrim
resources
body
merits
Geshe Sopa, Steps on the Path to
Enlightenment, Volume III, p. 262
•Result is attainment of nirvana•We want
emancipation•We have to give up
all of it in the end anyway
By abandoning and giving away attachment to all, I can
pass to the sorrowless state,
And my mind achieves the non-abiding sorrowless state
(the state of omniscient mind).
Since I [have to] give up everything all together (which is
similar to that)
It is supreme to give it away to the sentient beings,
because that way buddhahood is attained.
Shantideva, Bodhisattva’s Deeds
gen
ero
sity what is it?
why give?
how to give
how not to give?
gen
ero
sity who to give to
motivation for giving
how to give
things to give
(1) focus on purpose“based on this I will complete the perfection of generosity, a precondition for unexcelled enlightenment”
(2) focus on the thing to be given“the material things I’m giving belong to others”
(3) focus on the recipient“they are my teachers since they help me complete the perfection of generosity”
“the giver must
compassionately make
gifts”
practicing generosity with
the six supremacies
supreme basis
give after generating abodhicitta motivation
supreme things
gift should be of the bestpossible quality
supreme aim
for the sake of theirimmediate happiness andultimate benefit
supreme skilful means
conjoin the action with thewisdom realising emptiness
supreme dedication
dedicate the virtue tosupreme enlightenment
supreme purity
give with the wish to be freefrom the two obscurations
Golden Light Sutra, chapter 18
how not to give
a motivation …
that believes in the
supremacy of wrong views
a motivation …
that is arrogant
a motivation …
for getting praise or
fame
a motivation …
of discouragement
a motivation …
in which you turn your back on someone
a motivation …
of expecting something
in return
a motivation …
of expecting something
in return
MENTAL OFFERING2.5 Lakes and pools adorned with lotuses And the beautiful cry of wild geese, Everything unowned Within the limitless spheres of space;
2.6 Taking these with my mind, I offer them To the supreme beings, the Munis, as well as their Sons
Shantideva, Bodhisattva Deeds
Bodhisattva vows related to generosity
Root vow 2: Even though you are able, not
giving material aid to others through miserliness; or not teaching Dharma to those who are suffering and without a protector because you want to amass knowledge just for yourself.
Bodhisattva vows related to generosity
Secondary vows 1-7: (1) Not making daily
offerings of the three doors to the Three Jewels (2) without trying to oppose your greed or dissatisfaction with what you have, following the mind that strives to accumulate more.
[see FPMT booklet for more]
Tantric pledges related to generosity
Ratnasambhava: to counteract stinginess,
pride & arrogance - the samaya of giving material things, giving Dharma, giving protection & giving love.[see FPMT booklet for more]
As long as people still value self-sacrifice and extend a helping hand to one another, life on this earth will always have meaning. ”
“
Moral virtue is effectively a barrier that prevents people from abusing or destroying each other’s material and spiritual wealth.
”
“
Your supremely generous right hand dispels thehunger and thirst of the hungry ghosts;
practice of generosity
Generating in various ways the intention to give
Steadily increasing this generosity
Even though you may not be actually giving away something to others
Abiding in the mind of a Bodhisattva
Beautifying with light this excellent base,
The Joyful, like a water crystal jewels,
Destroys and overcomes all heavy darkness.
Chandrakirti, Engaging in the Middle Way
Images:
Music:
“Give Freely” By The X-Structure
For more info [email protected]