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The reality of our existence

Eight Verses of Thought Transformation: Introduction

A series of teachings on the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation given during the Rejoicing and Giving Thanks Retreat at Sravasti Abbey in November 2008.

  • Dissatisfaction comes from the inside not from the outside
  • True origin of dukkha is craving
  • Craving keeps us stuck in cyclic existence
  • There is no freedom when we take rebirth under ignorance, afflictions, and karma
  • The reality of our existence
  • Ignorance makes us grasp at the opposite of how reality actually exists
  • The three principal aspects of the path
  • Renunciation
  • Twelve links of dependent origination
  • Emptiness of inherent existence

Eight Verses of Thought Transformation: Introduction (download)

Eight Verses of Thought Transformation: Verse 1
Eight Verses of Thought Transformation: Verse 2

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.