Qualities of qualified disciples

Part of a commentary on Essential Spiritual Advice, a text by the First Dalai Lama outlining the stages of the path to awakening.

  • Three principal qualities that we need to cultivate as a disciple
  • Detailed understanding of “intelligent” and “open-minded”
  • How to be earnest and sincere

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.