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View all posts in Venerable Thubten Chodron's teaching archive.

A painted enso symbol.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Being emptiness

A meditation on the "Heart Sutra" and the concepts of emptiness and selflessness.

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Grafitti of the word 'Haiku' on a wall.
Prison Poetry

Haiku

Haiku written by two incarcerated people associated with the prison Dharma outreach program.

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Decorative carving of the Buddha teaching at Deer Park.
Prison Poetry

What the Buddha taught

A person in prison reflects on the meaning of refuge and the joyfulness of awakening.

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Child holding an apple with an equal sign carved into it.
Family and Friends

Teaching children by example

Actions speak louder than words. Our children will learn loving-kindness, forgiveness, and patience only though…

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On Addiction

Intoxicants

The tragedies that resulted from choices an incarcerated person made as a young man.

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Venerable Chodron at San Quentin prision in California.
By Incarcerated People

The most stable people in prison

Why those in prison for murder tend to be easier to get along with and…

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Venerable Chodron holding a baby.
Family and Friends

Baby blessing ceremony

A ceremony to welcome babies and children to their Dharma friends and family.

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A group of teenage boys.
By Prison Volunteers

Compassion at a juvenile reformatory

A visit to a juvenile facility in Mexico raises doubts and leads to thoughts of…

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Thangka image of the 35 Buddhas.
Prostrations to the 35 Buddhas

The Sutra of the Three Heaps

The purification practice of prostration to the 35 Buddhas removes emotional burdens and pacifies obstacles…

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Painting of Dalai Lama
By Prison Volunteers

Tibetan Lama visits incarcerated people

Khensur Jampa Tegchog Rinpoche speaks to incarcerated people and answers their questions.

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Woman with her hand over her mouth.
Speaking Wisely and Kindly

Speaking of the faults of others

Belief in the faults of others and ourselves lead to missed opportunities for love.

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A spade and some potatoes being digged out of the soil.
By Incarcerated People

Humor

Difficulties can be overcome with fortitude and a little creativity. And laughter.

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