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The Buddha’s life as an example

The Buddha’s life as an example

A talk given during Sravasti Abbey’s annual Exploring Monastic Life program in 2010.

  • Discussion about various behavior patterns which influence our communication styles, such as attachment to reputation
  • Ignoble search and the noble search
  • The Greater Discourse to Saccaka Sutta (MN 36)1
    • Ascetic practices
    • Enlightenment
    • First teaching in the Deer Park at Sarnath
  • Using Buddha’s life as an example of how to lead our own lives

Exploring Monastic Life 2010: Session 4 (download)


  1. MN refers to the Majjhima Nikaya, the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha

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.

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