Lamrim and six preparatory practices
26 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Volume 2 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 
Nov 7, 2019 Part of a series of teachings given during a retreat based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice given at Sravasti Abbey.
- Meditation on the lamrim
- Making time for daily meditation
- Overcoming the distractions of social media
- The six preparatory practices
- Cleaning the room and arranging the altar
- Making offerings
- Sitting in a correct meditation position
- Taking refuge and generating bodhicitta
- Questions and answers
The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 26: Lamrim and six preparatory practices (download)
Contemplation points
- Why is a consistent and continuous meditation practice so important vs. doing longer sessions less frequently?
- Why is preparing for the actual meditation session an important step? What are the six preparatory practices?
- How does cleaning the room and arranging the alter prepare the mind for meditation? What are the ideal conditions for your meditation space?
- How does making offerings prepare the mind for meditation? Consider the parameters given for offerings: what are good and poor motivations when we make offerings? What kinds of offerings are the best to give?
- What is the most beneficial meditation posture (include all 8 points)? How does sitting in this position prepare the mind for meditation practice?
- What are the benefits of visualization in meditation?
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.
