emptiness

Teachings on the core of Buddhist philosophy: that persons and phenomena are ultimately empty of inherent existence because they are dependent arisings. This is the most powerful antidote that eliminates the ignorance and afflictions that give rise to suffering.

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

Wisdom

Emptiness and the object of negation, part 3

How the sense of an "I" appears to us yet cannot be found when investigating.

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Wisdom

Emptiness and the object of negation, part 1

How to identify the object of negation by taking away the appearance of something or…

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Buddha hand holding a bowl, with a flower inside.
Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Practicing the Dharma

In this session discussion revolves around working with illness and attachment, observing and working with…

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Short Verses to Cultivate Bodhicitta

Verse 32-5: Who is sick?

Working with illness and pain by considering who is the "I" who is experiencing the…

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Short Verses to Cultivate Bodhicitta

Verse 32-3: Renouncing suffering

The importance of generating renunciation and really getting a feel for wanting to be free…

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Short Verses to Cultivate Bodhicitta

Verse 27: Empty containers

Transforming the appearance of an empty container into the wish that all beings be empty…

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A statue of a buddha covered in snow.
Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Working with the mind in retreat

Working with the afflictions, applying correct antidotes, an explanation of lung and a discussion regarding…

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Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Taking retreat into daily life

For those coming out of the one-month retreat: how to come out of retreat and…

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Monastics and layperson participating in dorje khadro ceremony.
Dorje Khadro

Explanation of the Dorje Khadro fire offering

Visualizations of empowering deities, offering and praise, mantra explanation, and ending instructions for the Dorje…

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A boy squatting down with his hands covering his head.
Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Emotions, refuge, and emptiness

Observing how sleep patterns may change during retreat due to the calming of the mind,…

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A man sitting down with his hands covering his head, seem to be in distress.
Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Distractions, the mind, and compassion

A discussion session with questions from those doing the retreat, covering topics like dealing with…

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Raindrops with a man in the background, with his hands on his mouth
Manjushri Winter Retreat 2008-09

Retreat questions and advice

What to do when the mind gets crazy in meditation, how to pace yourself during…

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