Essence of a Human Life (2015)
Short talks on The Essence of a Human Life: Words of Advice for Lay Practitioners by Lama Tsongkhapa. This text focuses particularly on the practices of the initial scope practitioner: precious human life, impermanence, death, and karma.
What matters at the time of death
Venerable Thubten Chodron Cutting the cord of attachment and aversion so that we can be free from petty concerns at the time of death.
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Giving up grasping
Practicing now so that giving up our body, wealth, and friends at the time of death will not be a difficult and painful experience.
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Letting go of worldly concerns
The difficulty of overcoming attachment to our reputation, and how it is a great hindrance to our spiritual practice.
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Moving towards our spiritual goals
While it is important to know what we are moving away from in our spiritual practice, it is more important to know what we are…
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The nine-point death meditation
Reflecting on our relationships with money, possessions, friends, and relatives, and the karma we create in relation to these objects.
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Attachment to the body
Contemplating the amount of time we spend seeking pleasure for and pampering our body when the outcome is death.
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Creating the causes of happiness
How understanding karma helps us to focus on what truly matters, and to create the causes for true happiness that will follow us into our…
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Experiencing the results of karma
How karma affects our habits and our experiences in life.
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The pathways of physical nonvirtue
Practical advice on living wisely by avoiding killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
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Living with integrity
Reflecting on the nonvirtuous action of lying, especially when others cannot handle the truth.
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Divisive speech
How our speech can cause disharmony in our relationships. (Plus a sneak preview of the new Chenrezig Hall window!)
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Harsh speech and idle talk
How to watch our habits of speech and guard our minds when others around us engage in harsh speech and idle talk.
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