Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Four truths and three levels of practitioners

Four truths and three levels of practitioners

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.

  • Explanation of four truths in terms of three levels of practitioners
  • Understanding refuge based on true paths and true cessations
  • Why and how teachings appear in a different sequence in lamrim texts and classical treatises or commentaries
  • How sharp-faculty and moderate-faculty students learn the Dharma
  • Benefits of integrating topics from philosophical texts into lamrim practice
  • Importance of using reasoning to explain topics such as rebirth and liberation to a modern audience

48 Approaching the Buddhist Path: Four Truths and Three Levels of Practitioners (download)

Contemplation points

  1. What is the best approach to teach others?
  2. What makes it difficult to approach the Buddhist path and develop a firm conviction in the teachings?
  3. How do we naturally develop refuge in the Three Jewels
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.