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.

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

Buddha's face painted on canvas.
Essence of Refined Gold

Seeking enlightenment for the benefit of others

Teaching on equanimity and bodhicitta from a series of talks on The Essence of Refined…

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A bird enjoys eating at a feeder in the middle of winter.
Harmony with the Environment

Cynicism, fear of change, responsibility

Questions on cynicism among young people, fear of change, taking responsibility.

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Cover of book Open Heart, Clearn Mind.
How Rebirth Works

Rebirth and karma

Understanding rebirth and its relationship to karma, and taking responsibility for our lives.

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Group of participants from the 2007 Exploring Monastic Life retreat at the Abbey.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

Refuge and precepts ceremony

Teachings on taking the five lay precepts with or without celibacy and the eight precepts…

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Words written on a board:To speak no ill, to do no harm, to practise restraint according to the fundamental precepts, to be moderate in eating, to live in seclusion, to devote oneself to higher consciousness, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The purpose of monastic precepts

Precepts serve to guide monastics in a positive direction, making the mind peaceful by abandoning…

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Ven. Thubten Tsultrim makes offerings to her preceptor Ven. Chodron after the ordination
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The “Ratnapala Sutta”

Buddha's disciple foremost in faith who, with pure motivation, looked with wisdom at cyclic existence…

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A card with the words written: The 5 precepts interpreted as New Year's Resolutions
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

Precepts and vows

Monastics and lay practitioners take different levels of precepts. The benefits of taking and keeping…

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Thangka image of the Buddha.
Four Truths for the Aryas

Understanding our situation

The four noble truths as the foundation on which the entire path can be both…

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Cover of book Open Heart, Clearn Mind.
Open Heart, Clear Mind

Self-centeredness

Examining the disadvantages of self-centeredness, and how to use mindfulness and introspective awareness to reduce…

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

Continuation of the discussion of karma

A tragic event near the Abbey introduces understanding how what happens in daily life affects…

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