The ten paths of nonvirtue today
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Gomchen Lamrim 
Aug 25, 2017 The text turns to training the mind on the stages of the path of advanced level practitioners. Part of a series of teachings on the Gomchen Lamrim by Gomchen Ngawang Drakpa. Visit Gomchen Lamrim Study Guide for a full list of contemplation points for the series.
- New ways of creating nonvirtue due to technology
- Ethical conduct as a way of developing trust
- Current issues relating to violence and killing
- Stealing identities and online materials
- Sexual ethics according to modern-day culture
Gomchen Lamrim 103: The Ten Paths of Non-virtue, Now (download)
Contemplation points
- Some modern forms of killing can include assisted suicide/euthanasia, terrorism, capital punishment, and violent video games. Spend some time thinking about each of these, if and why it is considered killing according the lamrim, whether it is a complete karma, etc. Are there others not mentioned in the teaching that apply?
- Some modern forms of stealing can include not paying taxes, hacking people’s accounts, identity theft, etc. Spend some time thinking about each of these, if and why it is considered stealing according to the lamrim, whether it is a complete karma, etc. Are there others not mentioned in the teaching that apply?
- Some modern forms of unwise and unkind sexual behavior can include prostitution, genital mutilation, pornography, date rape, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Spend some time thinking about each of these, if and why it is considered unwise and unkind sexual behavior according to the lamrim, whether it is a complete karma, etc. Are there others not mentioned in the teaching that apply?
- More aware of how non-virtue is practiced in our modern society, resolve to abandon negativity in your own life.
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.
