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Abbey guest receiving a tsa-tsa from Venerable Chodron.
LR07 Refuge

The practice of refuge

Having taken refuge, how to practice it by respecting the Buddha, the Dharma, and the…

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Abbey retreatants waiting for Venerable to arrive for a teaching.
LR07 Refuge

Benefits of having taken refuge

We become Buddhists, establish the foundation for all further vows. Eliminate negative and accumulate positive…

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Silhouette of person and bird flying against pink sunrise.
LR07 Refuge

Spiritual practice transforms us

Enlightenment is not a static state of mind, but rather a dynamic, transformative experience that…

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Venerable Chodron with Venerable Tsedroen and other nuns.
Monastic Life

Relevance of Vinaya in modern circumstances

A description of the Vinaya and the many instructions it contains on daily life, followed…

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Monastics at the Abbey, chanting.
LR07 Refuge

Qualities of the Three Jewels

The qualities of the Three Jewels in which we take refuge: the Buddha's enlightening influence,…

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Black and white image of a Buddha statue.
LR07 Refuge

Qualities of a Buddha’s mind

Wisdom and compassion are the two basic qualities of a Buddha's mind.

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A group of Buddhist and Catholic nuns visiting the Abbey.
Interfaith Dialogue

Comparing and contrasting views

A comparison of religious views to support interfaith practice.

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Venerables Tarpa, Saldon, and Chodron standing outside in the lower Abbey meadow.
Interfaith Dialogue

A bhikshuni’s view

A brief overview of how Buddhist monastic traditions spread and adapt to new cultures.

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Stained glass image of Benedictine nuns.
Interfaith Dialogue

A Benedictine’s view

A Catholic nun's perspective on world monastic traditions and her own spiritual journey.

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A painting of Shakyamuni Buddha teaching to monastics.
LR07 Refuge

A Buddha’s body and speech

Knowing about the qualities and skills of a Buddha's body and speech can aid us…

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Shrine of a large Tibetan Buddha.
LR07 Refuge

Qualities of a Buddha

The Buddha's teachings are a reliable guide for our spiritual path.

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Venerables Semkye and Chonyi preparing offerings in front of the Abbey altar.
LR07 Refuge

Objects of refuge

Why take refuge? The meaning of refuge, the objects of refuge, and the relevance of…

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