Requesting inspiration

30 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice

Part of an ongoing series of teachings (retreat and Friday) based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, second volume in “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion” series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.

  • What it means to offer objects of attachment, aversion, or ignorance
  • Discussion of the usage of words such as merit, holy, inspire
  • Our efforts and contribution to transform our minds
  • Three great purposes of supplication
  • Internal and external hindrances
  • Forming a relationship with the Buddha
  • Glance meditation on the stages of the path

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 30: Requesting Inspiration (download)

Contemplation points

  1. Describe in your own words what happens in your mind/heart when you request inspiration from the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
  2. How do the Buddhas protect us? How do we protect ourselves from suffering?
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.