Refuge and bodhicitta
27 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Volume 2 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 
Nov 8, 2019 Part of a series of teachings given during a retreat based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice given at Sravasti Abbey.
- Uncommon Mahayana practice of taking refuge
- Questions and answers
The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 27: Refuge and bodhicitta (download)
Contemplation points
- Why is it important to imagine all sentient beings around us when we take refuge? How is it helpful for our own mind?
- Consider some of the misconceptions about generating compassion (a) that it is useless because suffering can’t be eliminated completely, b) that thinking about others’ suffering will cause them to feel hopeless and lead them to despair). Refute these.
- Consider some of the misconceptions about generating compassion (a) that it is useless because suffering can’t be eliminated completely, b) that thinking about others’ suffering will cause them to feel hopeless and lead them to despair). Refute these.
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.
