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.
The death and rebirth process
Venerable Thubten Chodron What happens to the consciousnesses as we die, the bardo, and how rebirth occurs.
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Dependent arising: Links 1-3
Superstition obscures the right view and brings forth a wrong fantasy view. It is the obstacle to developing perfect wisdom.
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Dependent arising: Links 4-12
A review of the first links and a discussion of the remaining 12 links of dependent arising. How the 12 links are like a dysfunctional…
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The 12 links and the four noble truths
We die because we are born. To cease the cycle of death and rebirth, cease the 11 links that come before death, in particular the…
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Path to liberation
The distinction between liberation and enlightenment and what kind of body and what path to follow to break out of cyclic existence.
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Freeing ourselves from samsara
The advantages of observing the higher training in ethical conduct, advice for keeping our ethics well, and the disadvantages of observing ethics.
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The altruistic intention
An examination of the practices in common with advanced level practitioners starts by first considering the benefits of generating bodhicitta.
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Bodhicitta: Advantages and prerequisites
More of the many advantages of bodhicitta as well as how to cultivate equanimity, a pre-requisite for generating the great altruistic intention.
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The kindness of our mothers
Beginning an exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at how all sentient beings have been our kind mother.
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Repaying the kindness of our mother
Continuing an exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at repaying the kindness of our mother and heart-warming love.
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Generating love and compassion
Continuing the exploration of the seven-point cause and effect meditation by looking at heart-warming love and compassion.
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Generating bodhicitta
Concluding an exploration of the seven-point cause-and-effect meditation by looking at how compassion and the great resolve lead us into generating bodhicitta.
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