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.

Deteriorating Buddha statue at the Abbey pet cemetary.

Disadvantages of not thinking of death

Considering the disadvantages of not thinking about death motivates us to make use of this precious human life and not waste our potential on worldly…

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Deteriorating Buddha statue at the Abbey pet cemetary.

Detaching from the eight worldly concerns

Learning to counter attachment to the eight worldly concerns by examining the 10 innermost jewels of the Kadam tradition.

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Deteriorating Buddha statue at the Abbey pet cemetary.

Meditation on death

Understanding the importance of contemplating death for the Buddhist practitioner, using the nine-step meditation on death.

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Meditations on impermanence and death

Explanation of the gross and subtle impermanence, and followed by detailed instruction on how to meditate on our own and others' deaths.

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Deteriorating Buddha statue at the Abbey pet cemetary.

The lower realms

An in-depth look at the lower realms, the causes for rebirth there, and the benefits of contemplating them.

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

Objects of refuge

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

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Shrine of a large Tibetan Buddha.

Qualities of a Buddha

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

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A painting of Shakyamuni Buddha teaching to monastics.

A Buddha’s body and speech

Knowing about the qualities and skills of a Buddha's body and speech can aid us in our daily practice.

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Black and white image of a Buddha statue.

Qualities of a Buddha’s mind

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

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Monastics at the Abbey, chanting.

Qualities of the Three Jewels

The qualities of the Three Jewels in which we take refuge: the Buddha's enlightening influence, the Dharma's true path and true cessation, and the Sangha's…

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Silhouette of person and bird flying against pink sunrise.

Spiritual practice transforms us

Enlightenment is not a static state of mind, but rather a dynamic, transformative experience that changes the way we interact with the world.

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Abbey retreatants waiting for Venerable to arrive for a teaching.

Benefits of having taken refuge

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

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