karma

Teachings related to the law of karma and its effects, or how intentional actions of body, speech, and mind affect our circumstances and experiences. The law of karma and its effects explains how present experience is the product of past actions and how present actions affect future experience. Posts include teachings on the types and characteristics of karma and how to use an understanding of karma in daily life.

Latest Posts

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

Medicine Buddha thangka surrounded by light and flower offerings.
Medicine Buddha Winter Retreat 2007-08

Mid-retreat discussion

Addressing questions on different aspects of the meditation: the body, emptiness, visualization and deity meditation.

View Post
A meditator sitting in lotus posture.
On Taking Illness Onto the Path

An incentive to engage in virtue

A sudden illness gives a student greater incentive and renewed urgency to practice the Dharma.

View Post
Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Taking joy in our Dharma practice

Having an appreciation for joyous effort and showing interest in overcoming laziness.

View Post
On Overcoming Anger

My tiger

Old tiger, new face. It is the mind, not the environment, that makes the difference.

View Post
The word Dharma on a boardwalk.
Essence of Refined Gold

Fortitude of practicing the Dharma

Going through physical and mental hardships during our Dharma practice by cultivating patience.

View Post
Medicine Buddha thangka surrounded by light and flower offerings.
Medicine Buddha Winter Retreat 2007-08

Sharing challenges of practice

Questions from retreatants on dealing with distraction and habitual reactions. Working with dreams in a…

View Post
An Afghan girl's face full of emotion, using her sunburnt hand to cover her mouth.
Essence of Refined Gold

Fortitude of enduring suffering

Continuing with the explanation of the practice of non-retaliation, and the second type of fortitude…

View Post
The words: fortitude in a grey and a bit green background.
Essence of Refined Gold

Meaning and benefits of fortitude

The types of beings to help and what help should we offer to them. Understanding…

View Post
Closeup of Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.
Essence of Refined Gold

Three kinds of ethical conduct

Discussion of the characteristics of far-reaching ethical conduct: abandoning destructive actions, engaging in constructive actions,…

View Post
Open Heart, Clear Mind

The determination to be free

Understanding the meaning of renunciation, what we are wishing to be free from, the effects…

View Post
Medicine Buddha thangka surrounded by light and flower offerings.
Medicine Buddha Winter Retreat 2007-08

Retreat discussion

A question-and-answer session covering topics including the mindstream, the buzz of being angry, the Medicine…

View Post
The sangha poses with Rinpoche. Ven. Semkye, Ven. Chodron, Kensur Wangdak Rinpoche, Ven. Tsenla (translator), Ven. Tharpa.
Teachings by Khensur Wangdak Rinpoche

Precious human life

Making one's perfect human rebirth meaningful through the practice of bodhicitta. Accumulation of karma and…

View Post