Sufferings of cyclic existence
Sufferings of cyclic existence
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Essence of Refined Gold 
Aug 16, 2007 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.
The dukkha of samsara
- The eight sufferings and the three types of dukkha
- A realistic look at the defects of cyclic existence
- Explanation of renunciation and the determination to be free
- Is and is not
Essence of Refined Gold 29: The first noble truth (download)
Questions and answers
- How can we prevent the deterioration of the mind in old age?
- Why is being born in the form or formless realms considered an upper rebirth?
- Discussion of creating virtue and non-virtue
- How do the pure lands relate to the form and formless realms?
Essence of Refined Gold 29: Q&A (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.
