Tag Archives: samsara

OPL9: Chapter 5: the suffering of samsara

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Yeshe Chödrön

The title may tempt you to skip this chapter — who wants to hear more about suffering! Indeed, Gampopa’s Ornament of Precious Liberation includes vivid descriptions of the six realms of samsaric existence as places we could be reborn into, … Continue reading →

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OPL4: Chapter 1: The cause: buddha nature

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Yeshe Chödrön

In truth, anyone who practices with great effort cannot fail to reach enlightenment. Why? Because all forms of conscious life, including ourselves, possess its prime cause. Within us is buddha nature.” ~ Gampopa OPL, translated by Ken Holmes. We got … Continue reading →

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OPL3: The case for awakening

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Yeshe Chödrön

Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, the 12th-century physician from Dakpo who entered monastic life after his wife and two children died in an epidemic, and who went on to “unite the two streams” of practice and establish the Kagyu Lineage that continues … Continue reading →

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37 practices: verse 9

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

9. To strive for unchanging freedom Like drops of dew upon each blade of grass / The three realms’ happiness evaporates. In contrast, the supreme and highest state / Of liberation doesn’t ever change. To strive in all my efforts … Continue reading →

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The most effective way to meditate, and the 12 links of interdependence

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

This is a brief summary for the KDC class on the Ornament of Precious Liberation, where we are studying the paramita of meditation, within the general heading of action bodhicitta. (Or for anyone else who is interested in these topics.) … Continue reading →

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37 practices: the first 7 verses

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

To study, contemplate and meditate To leave your homeland To rely on solitude To let go of attachment to this lifetime To give up negative friends To rely on spiritual friends To take refuge in the Three Jewels Audio for … Continue reading →

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Lama Tenam at KTC: How to deal with emotions

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

You can see the video of this teaching by clicking here. In fact, if you click you will find a small and growing treasure trove of teachings in the KTC PPV video archive. The cost per video is $20 to … Continue reading →

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37 practices: verse 3, part 1 of 2

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

3. To rely on solitude When I avoid conditions that disturb me, / Emotional afflictions lose their strength. When there are no distractions to engage me, / My dharma practice grows to fill the space. Awareness – knowing – rigpa … Continue reading →

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In which I am pursued by a hungry blue heron

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Yeshe Chödrön

In recent years, this heron (or maybe several, but I’ve always seen just one at a time) has regularly hung out by the koi pond in Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Visitors pay their quarter and toss in a handful … Continue reading →

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Compassion versus Wisdom

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Yeshe Chödrön

OK, the title is a trick–as we know, compassion and wisdom are complementary, and in the end of course there is no difference between them at all. Buddhahood, enlightenment, full awakening is the ultimate development of both, and they are ultimately undifferentiable, … Continue reading →

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