Taking joy in our Dharma practice
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Essence of Refined Gold 
Jan 31, 2008 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.
What joyous effort is and is not
- Wholesome Dharma practice
- Virtuous activities
- Having a happy mind
- Dharma effort that works for the welfare of others
Essence of Refined Gold 46 (download)
Questions and answers
- Who is making the choice when we make a decision
- A point on the path when things we do are non-volitional
- The difference between when you are pushing and when there is joyous effort
- The meaning of the Buddha’s mantra: tayata om muni muni maha muniyea soha
Essence of Refined Gold 46: 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.
