Evaluating the authenticity of teachings
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Volume 1 Approaching the Buddhist Path 
May 3, 2019 Part of an ongoing series of teachings based on Approaching the Buddhist Path, the first book in “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion” series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.
- Faulty reasons versus correct reasons to discern what to believe
- Why investigating teachings through our own experience is so beneficial
- Three ways to know that a Buddhist teaching is authentic
- The importance of both study and meditative practice
- Determining the difference between common and unique teachings
36 Approaching the Buddhist Path: Evaluating the Authenticity of Teachings (download)
Contemplation points
- What are reasons why someone could buy into a doctrine in a non-reliable way? Say it in your own words.
- What criteria should you be aware of for when looking for reliable teachings?
- What are the reasons someone could get into a situation where they could meet an unreliable teacher or teachings?
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.
