Bringing the Dharma to the Middle East
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Dharma Guide Training 
Dec 22, 2007 A discussion with students of Israeli Dharma Friends, Israel.
Buddhism to Israel
- What does it mean to bring Buddhism to the West and to Israel?
- Importance of knowing the Dharma well and not rejecting any part because it doesn’t suit us
- Discriminating Buddhism from culture
- Which way to go in the future for the Dharma group and the individuals in the group
- The different ways for people to practice together
- Whether having checklists and structure is helpful for a group
- The benefits of having discussion groups
- How the older members can set an example for the newer members
Bringing the Dharma to the Middle East 01 (download)
Useful things for personal practice
- Whether to have a Dharma center for regular group activities, what activities to plan and whether to get a resident teacher
- The importance of working together harmoniously and how each member can play his/her role well
- Being mindful of the influence of the eight worldly concerns
- What nonviolent communication means and why it’s helpful
Bringing the Dharma to the Middle East 02 (download)
Future development
- Love and compassion
- Level of interest in Buddhism in Israel
- Ways to relate to and work with other Buddhist groups and traditions
Bringing the Dharma to the Middle East 03 (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.
