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Stages of the Path

Lamrim teachings provide a step-by-step approach to practicing the entire path to awakening.

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A black and white photo of a house with the word Karma on the window.
Essence of Refined Gold

The four aspects of karma

How future lives are affected in both positive and negative ways by our thoughts, words…

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Small gold Buddha statue.
Essence of Refined Gold

Benefits of taking refuge

Taking refuge brings us closer to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

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Ken with eyes closed in front of the large Abbey thangka.
Essence of Refined Gold

The meaning of precepts

The beginning of the path to enlightenment is the taking of precepts.

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Altar at the Abbey
Essence of Refined Gold

Guidelines after taking refuge

Integrating the practice of taking refuge and keeping precepts into daily life, and the benefits…

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Statue of a Bodhisattva.
Essence of Refined Gold

Bodhisattva paths and grounds

The path the bodhisattva takes to become a Buddha.

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Large Buddha statue against blue sky with clouds.
Essence of Refined Gold

Activities of a buddha

The Buddha's activities help all sentient beings to progress on the path.

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Face of Buddha
Essence of Refined Gold

Developing the qualities of a buddha

What a Buddha is, what a Buddha does, and how to become a Buddha.

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Statue of the Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Understanding the Three Jewels

The qualities of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

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Shakyamuni Buddha refuge tree
Essence of Refined Gold

The meaning of refuge

The meaning and purpose of taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

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Wheel of Life
Essence of Refined Gold

How rebirth works

The benefit of contemplating the possibility of rebirth in the lower realms and how our…

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The words: Determination above a big screen, screen showing a woman doing a long jump.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Renunciation and joyous effort

The importance of nourishing a strong determination, armor-like joyous perseverance, and the bodhisattva's view of…

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A man sitting on a giant book, both hands on his head and looking down on the floor, appearing to be in agony.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Renounce suffering, practice joyfully

Comments on a section of the Lamrim chenmo by Lama Tsongkhapa. Explains the types and…

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