Four buddha bodies

Four buddha bodies

Part of an ongoing series of teachings based on Approaching the Buddhist Path, the first book in “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion” series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.

  • Different perspectives on the Buddha’s life and awakening
  • Various ways to divide the Buddha’s bodies into categories
  • An exploration of the deeper meaning of “seeing a buddha
  • The history of Nalanda monastery and the flourishing of the Dharma in Tibet
  • The importance of gratitude for those who came before us

34 Approaching the Buddhist Path: Four Buddha Bodies (download)

Contemplation points

  1. Staying within the framework of the Mahayana view of the four buddha bodies, describe the reverse order of the Buddha’s awakening.
  2. To what understanding do you come when viewing the Buddha’s awakening in the reverse order?
  3. What does it mean to “see the Buddha” or, in other words, why can’t we see the Buddha?
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.