Audio Teachings by Lama Dondrup Dorje Rinpoche
The Giving of a Smile
In the Audio Teaching ‘The Giving of a Smile’, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje gives commentary on a teaching he has been encouraging his students to practice: ‘Speak less, smile more and be gentle in all that you do’. Encouraging the practice of generosity, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje explains that a smile is the best kind of giving there is, good manners is the best kind of giving there is.
When we speak, speak in a soft way, and whenever you can praise others in an honest way, do so. Be mindful of what you say; be clear and practical in the way we communicate to help others. Don’t offer advice based on speculation. Be pleasant with others, act with care and gentleness, with courtesy.
Be sincere in all that you do, sincere in acting to improve your conduct, and consistent in how you maintain your practice. Life is a learning curve; all that we do is not perfect, so we must work to improve as we go along. Do not think of good and bad, because when you get tied into this concept of good and bad then you get discouraged easily because all is not smooth. Do not hold on to your fixations, it is trial and error when we learn and the whole essence of life is a learning curve.
Apply yourself in this way the best you can: encouraging others with a natural smile, speaking only what is essential, interacting in a gentle way whenever possible. Use gentle words; be pleasant and caring of others. If you can do this it is like receiving the blessing of Samadhi, a state where the mind is in a quiet place where nothing disturbs you, where you bring peace and happiness to others.
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