Buddhist Philosophy Guides

Ch’an Meditation

Ch’an Meditation

Taoist Influences on Ch’an Meditation An Excerpt from China Root Ch’an practice was not simply about cultivating an abstract understanding of Taoist ontology/cosmology and the nature of consciousness; it was about actually living that understanding as a matter of immediate experience. And at the center of Ch’an practice was meditation. Indeed, Ch’an (禪), a transliteration
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Free Downloads from The Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama Series

Free Downloads from The Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama Series

Sign up for a week of essential teachings from His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama ENTER YOUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE A WEEK OF DAILY READINGS FROM THE CORE TEACHINGS OF THE DALAI LAMA SERIES. From proper posture in sitting meditation to discussion of past lives to the importance of the Three Jewels, these readings cover
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Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche & Pema Chödrön in Conversation | Free Video Offering

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche & Pema Chödrön in Conversation | Free Video Offering

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and Pema Chödrön Discuss the Innate Tenderness of Our Hearts ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE VIDEO INTERVIEW. In this interview, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche sits down with Pema Chödrön to discuss his book, Training in Tenderness, cultivating compassion, and the innate tenderness of our hearts known as tsewa. After entering
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Paths and the Utilization of Bliss

Paths and the Utilization of Bliss

Harmonies with Enlightenment An excerpt from Our Human Potential Thirty-Seven Harmonies with Enlightenment Four establishments in mindfulness The thirty-seven harmonies with enlightenment are essential ingredients of the path. They are divided into seven sets, the first of which is comprised of the four establishments in mindfulness. These are the establishments in mindfulness of body, feeling,
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Teaching the Dharma | An Excerpt from A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle

Teaching the Dharma | An Excerpt from A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle

Investigating the Dharma 1. Showing Why It Is Worth Teaching Others the Dharma Unstintingly When bodhisattvas thoroughly investigating the Dharma have received the teachings and gained unmistaken realization of them, they explain them unstintingly to sentient beings and thereby complete their own transcendent perfections and bring other sentient beings to maturity. There is no better
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The Fruit of Tenderness | An Excerpt from Training in Tenderness

The Fruit of Tenderness | An Excerpt from Training in Tenderness

Benefiting Others When we carefully and diligently water our seed of tsewa, applying all the wisdom and skillful means we can gather, that seed will eventually grow into a magnificent tree bearing abundant fruit. This is the third metaphor in Chandrakirti’s homage to the tender heart. The fruit manifests as an ever-increasing desire and ability
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Tsongkhapa: A Guide to His Life and Works

Tsongkhapa: A Guide to His Life and Works

Tsongkhapa A Guide to His Works Related Topics Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Lives of the Masters Series | Atisha | Aryadeva The Kadam Tradition | The Gelug Tradition | Madhyamaka  Milarepa | His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357-1419) Tsongkhapa., from the cover of The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra (Essen Collection)
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The Approach and Intent of Zen | An Excerpt from The Rinzai Zen Way

The Approach and Intent of Zen | An Excerpt from The Rinzai Zen Way

Understanding the Rinzai Zen Way Studying Zen, one rides all vehicles of Buddhism; practicing Zen, one attains awakening in a single lifetime. —Eisai   [From a teisho given in February 2012] In speaking with many beginning Zen students, it seems apparent that although they may be familiar with some of the methods of Zen practice,
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What Is Reality? | An Excerpt from Become What You Are

What Is Reality? | An Excerpt from Become What You Are

Life and Reality People often say that they are looking for Reality and that they are trying to live. I wonder what that means? Some time ago a group of people were sitting in a restaurant, and one of them asked the others to say what they meant by Reality. There was much vague discussion,
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Visitation-Land Dog Nature | An Excerpt from No-Gate Gateway

Visitation-Land Dog Nature | An Excerpt from No-Gate Gateway

A Dog Too Has Buddha-Nature A monk asked Master Visitation-Land: “A dog too has Buddha-nature, no?” “Absence,” Land replied. No-Gate’s Comment To penetrate the depths of Ch’an, you must pass through the gateway of our ancestral patriarchs. And to fathom the mysteries of enlightenment, you must cut off the mind-road completely. If you don’t pass
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