purification

Teachings on practices that mitigate the force of our destructive actions, in particular on the four opponent powers. This is a four-step practice involving: 1) regretting our mistake, 2) restoring the relationship by generating a positive attitude towards the one we harmed, 3) resolving to avoid the harmful action in the future, and 4) doing some sort of remedial behavior.

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

How to See Yourself As You Really Are

Karma and emptiness

An overview of why we would want to learn about emptiness and teaches on the…

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Gomchen Lamrim

Points on karma and purification using the four forces

Turning from nonvirtue to virtue. Points of interest on karma and how to purify nonvirtuous…

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Retreatants with Venerable Chodron at the Phendeling Centre teaching.
Living with an Open Heart

Examining our expectations of others

With a realistic view of others—friends and family and coworkers—we can avoid disappointment and conflict,…

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Essence of a Human Life

Karma is not cast in concrete

The importance of engaging in the four opponent powers as soon as we recognize that…

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Gomchen Lamrim

The six preliminary practices, part 2

Continuation of the six practices to prepare the body and mind for meditation. The traditional…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2015

Taking precepts

Working with our attachment to approval by counteracting self-centered thoughts, and the various types of…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2015

Ethical conduct on the path

Where ethical conduct fits into the Buddhist path, and the benefits of practicing ethical conduct.

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Essence of a Human Life

Creating the causes for happiness

How the long-term view of creating causes for our future happiness helps us to be…

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Guided Meditations

Purification: The four opponent powers

A psychological tool for self-forgiveness and making amends for our negative actions of body, speech,…

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How to See Yourself As You Really Are

Appreciating our opportunities

A motivation on appreciating all the causes and conditions for our precious human rebirth, and…

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