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The relationship with a teacher

The relationship with a teacher

Part of a series of teachings on Essence of Refined Gold by the Third Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso. The text is a commentary on Songs of Experience by Lama Tsongkhapa. These teachings were given during the 2007 Chenrezig Winter Retreat at Sravasti Abbey.

  • Why pleasing the spiritual mentor is stressed in the teachings
  • What it is that pleases our teachers: transforming our minds
  • The qualities of a teacher and developing a relationship
  • The dangers of thinking negatively about our teachers
    • Doesn’t mean whitewashing things

Essence of Refined Gold 08 (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.

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