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renunciation

Renunciation, or the determination to be free, is the attitude aspiring to be free from all suffering and to attain the liberation that is freedom from cyclic existence.

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Golden statue of Maitreya bodhisattva.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

The 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Verses on developing the qualities of a bodhisattva by Gyelsay Togmay Zangpo, plus a recording…

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Venerable chodron and other bhikshunis at Posadha ceremony.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Renunciation and simplicity

For monastics of all traditions, renouncing worldly materialism and self-centeredness inspires the cultivation of genuine…

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The sun rises in an orange misty sky above trees and mountains.
Wheel of Sharp Weapons Retreat 2004

Wheel of Sharp Weapons: Verses 43-49

Cultivate contentment instead of greed, dampen our pride, subdue our self-centeredness. No external thing can…

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Circles with a path and light in the middle of the circles.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Our circle of suffering

Analogy of struggles in samsara with the experience of a hunted animal. Unlike the animal,…

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Orange streaks in a cloudy sky as the sun sets.
Wheel of Sharp Weapons 2004-06

Wheel of Sharp Weapons: Verses 60-63

A continuation of verses that point out our bad habits and how our self-grasping ignorance…

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Orange streaks in a cloudy sky as the sun sets.
Wheel of Sharp Weapons 2004-06

Wheel of Sharp Weapons: Verses 38-42

A look at the karmic causes of difficulties in our practice or difficulties overcoming the…

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Metal door of a prison.
By Incarcerated People

Surviving in the system

How to bring personal responsibility to a difficult situation.

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A group of nuns from various religions sitting at a table, talking.
Interfaith Dialogue

“Nuns in the West I:” Interviews

Buddhist and Catholic monastics open discussion on various views.

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Inside of a prison cell.
On Attachment

Prison of desire

Finding inner freedom by seeing our shortcomings and working to change oneself.

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How Rebirth Works

Rebirth: Is it really possible?

Examining one of the key concepts in the Buddhist worldview, which is that we are…

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Image from Ascent Magazine – of Brother Wayne Teasdale, Venerable Chodron and Swami Radhananda.
Interfaith Dialogue

Determined to be free

A Buddhist nun, a sanyasi columnist and an urban mystic have an inspiring talk about…

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Ven. Chodron removes the last bit of Katya'shair.
For Young People

Look, Mommy, that lady has no hair!

The symbolism of shaving the head.

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