We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Offering and Mindfulness: Happiness from the Heart
When we practice Dana Paramita (the perfection of giving), we need the insight of Prajna Paramita (the perfection of wisdom), contemplating carefully so that our offerings truly meet the real needs, not the artificial needs created by advertising. For example, children may ask for clothes, crowns, or swords inspired by cartoons, but these only satisfy them temporarily and are soon forgotten. True giving is to offer the recipient the capacity to understand, to love, and to find faith in the Dharma and the Sangha, such as:
- Material giving (Tài thí) – offering material gifts with insight, so that the recipient can become self-reliant
- Dharma giving (Pháp thí) – transmitting the right teaching appropriate to the person’s needs, avoiding giving teachings like prescribing the wrong medicine for an illness
- Fearlessness giving (Vô úy thí) – bringing about fearlessness, nurturing inner courage, and not creating dependence
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva teaches five contemplations to transform fear and to develop fearlessness, deep insight, and great compassion:
- Contemplation on the true nature of things – seeing things as they really are, without deception
- Contemplation on purity – recognizing the pure nature within our mind
- Contemplation on vast and great wisdom – expanding our innate wisdom
- Contemplation on compassion – looking deeply into suffering to transform it with love
- Contemplation on loving kindness – contemplating our capacity to offer joy to ourselves and to others
The Perfection of Precepts (Giới Ba La Mật) is the practice of mindfulness, being aware in each action to protect the freedom and happiness of ourselves and of the Sangha. When we keep the precepts—not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, not lying, not consuming intoxicants—we have true security, inner freedom, and we contribute to the happiness of the community.
