Gradual Path to Enlightenment (1991-94)
In the early 11th century, the Indian Buddhist master Atisha condensed essential points from the sutras and ordered them into the text Lamp of the Path. These were then expanded upon in the 14th century by the Tibetan Buddhist master Lama Tsongkhapa in The Great Exposition on the Gradual Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Chenmo). Venerable Thubten Chodron comments on this text and relates these practical teachings to our daily lives. Teachings given at Dharma Friendship Foundation 1991-1994.
Preparing the meditation space and making offer...
Venerable Thubten Chodron Instructions on the first two preparatory practices for a meditation session: (1) cleaning the room and setting up a shrine, and (2) making offerings.
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Obtaining offerings properly and setting the ri...
Further instruction on how to make offerings, and a commentary on the third preparatory practice: sitting posture, taking refuge, and generating bodhicitta.
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Visualizing the merit field and offering the se...
How to set up the meditation session by doing the refuge visualization, contemplating the four immeasurables, and offering the seven-limb prayer.
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Advantages of relying on a teacher
The eight advantages of relying on a spiritual teacher.
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Disadvantages of improper reliance
The first two disadvantages of not properly relying on or abandoning the spiritual teacher.
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Relying on teachers in thought
Review of the advantages of relying and disadvantages of not relying on a teacher as well as instruction on how to rely on the teacher…
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Relying on teachers in thought and deed
Recognizing the kindness of our teacher and learning to repay that kindness through our actions.
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The freedoms of a precious human life
The purpose of reflecting on a precious human life and learning to recognize the eight freedoms it provides.
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The fortunes of a precious human life
Examining the 10 richnesses of a precious human life and how to meditate properly on the freedoms and fortunes it provides.
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Obtaining a precious human life
The purpose and meaning of a precious human life, and the difficulty of obtaining such a rare opportunity.
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Cultivating our motivation
The three levels of motivation as a key to understanding the Buddhist path.
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