renunciation

Renunciation, or the determination to be free, is the attitude aspiring to be free from all suffering and to attain the liberation that is freedom from cyclic existence.

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A yellow statute of prince siddhartha cutting of his hair, as a symbol of his renunciation.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Advantages of renunciation

Explains the opening verses, and explains the importance and advantages of renunciation. Clarifies what renunciation…

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A Green Tara tsatsa.
Prayers and Practices

Recovering after Hurricane Wilma

Advice to a Buddhist group on developing renunciation and bodhicitta in the aftermath of Hurricane…

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Venerable Chodron and a monk walking down a path, in conversation.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monastic practices

A discussion among Western and Asian monastics highlights some of the practices in their particular…

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Abbey monastics chanting during a Medicine Buddha puja.
Dealing with Grief

Losing a dear one who was young

A letter from a student questioning the reason for the loss of her younger sister.

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Volunteers distributing bottles of water from the back of a pickup truck.
Responding to Prejudice

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina

Advice to two Dharma students on extending compassion to those directly suffering and those distressed…

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Buddha statue on a pedestal outdoors with a small ceramic white dove in front of him.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Precious human life

Having a precious human life, how the three poisonous attitudes affect us, importance of spiritual…

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Buddha statue on a pedestal outdoors with a small ceramic white dove in front of him.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Wisdom fear of samsara

A teaching on the reality of cyclic existence and possibility for liberation. Reflecting on our…

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Golden statue of Maitreya bodhisattva.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Verses on developing the qualities of a bodhisattva by Gyelsay Togmay Zangpo, plus a recording…

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Venerable chodron and other bhikshunis at Posadha ceremony.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Renunciation and simplicity

For monastics of all traditions, renouncing worldly materialism and self-centeredness inspires the cultivation of genuine…

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The sun rises in an orange misty sky above trees and mountains.
Wheel of Sharp Weapons Retreat 2004

Wheel of Sharp Weapons: Verses 43-49

Cultivate contentment instead of greed, dampen our pride, subdue our self-centeredness. No external thing can…

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