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.

Man helping another young man with a crutch.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The advantages of cherishing others

Our own enlightenment is dependent on each and every sentient being. When we abandon the…

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Young man sitting on window sill, staring out window.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The disadvantages of self-centeredness

The self-centered mind is one of the chief obstacles to our attaining liberation and enlightenment.

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Venerable Chodron giving mani pills to a retreatant.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Great compassion

Just as love is the thought that we want all beings to have happiness, so…

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Venerable Chodron shares the story of the prayer wheel with the children at UU.
For Young People

A Buddhist nun in high school

Questions and answers from students about Buddhism and monastic life.

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Close-up of golden Buddha's face.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The advantages of bodhicitta

Why should we pursue the Buddhist ideal of being of benefit to all living beings?…

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A blue and red peace sign painted on a rock.
Transforming War and Terrorism

Responding to war with peace

How to work with disturbing emotions that arise in response to a contemporary war.

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Four nuns with four Sravasti Abbey cats named after the four immeasurables.
Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Meditating on the four immeasurables

Developing love for all sentient beings, cultivating gratitude, and a discussion about karma.

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Venerable Chodron giving a Dharma talk.
Love and Self-esteem

Loving oneself and others

How Dharma practice can help us to become friends with ourselves, and lead ethical lives…

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Buddha and flowers in orange color.
New to Buddhism

Why Buddhism?

Buddha's teachings attract people who are looking for a spiritual practice that creates inner peace…

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Wheel of Life thangka.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Infallible effects of karma

Avoiding and purifying the negative karma created through the actions of our body, speech, and…

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Cover of Geshen Sonam Rinchen's book "The Three Principal Aspects of the Path".
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

General characteristics of karma

Karma is definite, expandable, doesn't get lost, and results from the causes that we have…

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