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Preventing and resolving problems

24 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice

Part of a series of teachings given during a retreat based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice given at Sravasti Abbey.

  • Preventing difficulties
    • The role of institutions in preventing and managing problems
    • Educating teachers so they are prepared to teach in foreign contexts
  • Unusual behavior
    • The unsuitability of unconventional behavior for the endurance of the Dharma
    • Misunderstandings regarding the realization of emptiness
    • The qualities of ideal lay tantric practitioners
    • Abusive teacher-student relationships
  • Resolving problems

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 24: Preventing and resolving problems (download)

Contemplation points

  1. Why is it so important to be aware of monastic discipline, even as a lay person? Similarly, why is education needed, both on the side of the student and spiritual mentor, to facilitate beneficial Dharma relationships between them, particularly as the Dharma spreads to new areas of the world?
  2. It can often be misunderstood that highly realized practitioners are “beyond ethical conduct.” How is this a misunderstanding of the teachings? Explain in your own words why quite the opposite is true.
  3. Why is the advice of seeing the guru’s actions as perfect not meant for general practitioners? What is the best way to respond if we find our spiritual mentor is engaged in questionable behavior or asks us to do something non-virtuous?
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.