Buddhism for Beginners
by Kunzang Palyul Choling - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
The Buddhism for Beginners Podcast is brought to you by Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC). KPC was founded by Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo Rinpoche to uphold the Palyul lineage within the Nyingma tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. KPC is a hub of compassionate activity with a mission to inspire people to improve the world and end suffering for the benefit of all beings. The Buddhism for Beginners podcast draws from a wealth of teachings by Jetsunma and other great masters from around the world. Gain insight and guidance into how you can apply foundational Buddhist principles and meditation techniques to use in your everyday life. For more teachings, meditations, and resources visit out online virtual temple at Tara.org.
Episodes
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The Equality of All That Lives
In her teaching “Experience the Equality of All Beings,” Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo dismantles the misconception that compassion is a fleeting emotional display, defining true bodhicitta instead as an intentional habit forged through steady spiritual practice. Rather than resting on polite...
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Go Beyond Safety to Love
We are taught to never truly surrender our heart, to never risk in order to experience great passion, to always keep something aside for ourselves. Our quest for safety leads us to compartmentalize our experiences and keep everything in a neat, controlled place. Jetsunma calls us to give rise to...
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Not Grasping Means Not Suffering
Growing up in a materialistic culture, being taught to "be all that you can be", actually produces obstacles to the path to enlightenment. The definition of neurotic is acting in a way that is inappropriate according to reality. The Buddha teaches that this "self" into whose pockets you are…
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Make a Habit of Compassion
Most of our day involves one habit after another. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo teaches us how to make compassion a stronger and stronger habit, so we will experience happiness, and eventually liberation. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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How to Recognize a Qualified Teacher
You must have a qualified teacher to practice Vajrayana Buddhism. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo clarifies the qualities to look for and how to avoid making a mistake. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Conceptual Proliferation
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo encourages us to unravel the many concepts we have, because they stand between us and having pure view. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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The Guru is the Light in Samsara
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo takes us on a journey through samsara, emphasizing the light (Guru) that guides our path. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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You Need Patience & Courage on the Path
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains the many ways it's important to have patience and courage as we begin a path to change our habits. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Dispelling Dharma's Bad Rap
Buddhism often gets a bad rap for talking about suffering. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains why it is totally unfounded. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Perception is a Squirrel Cage of Reaction
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo takes the concept of perception and describes just what it is like for us in samsara. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Don't Wait to Feel Devotion
Devotion is often thought of as a "feeling". Actually, in Buddhism, it is based on logic. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains how if we wait for the "feeling" we will still be waiting when we die, without having achieved any result. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit...
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Hold Pure View of All Buddha's Paths
The Buddha taught many paths to reach enlightenment. They build on each other, and each one is perfect for a certain karma. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains these paths and how each one is a pure path by itself, as well as linking to the next. Support the show For more resources, teachings and...
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Emptiness and Compassion are Inseparable
The teachings tell us that "just as the rays of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself, emptiness and Bodhicitta are joined in a similar way" Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains how this is true. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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The Hook of Compassion
The Guru appears to us as a display of our own nature - Bodhicitta. To show us our own face, they often display "the hook of compassion". Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains this process and what blessings it can bring. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Meditation in Action
Compassion spans both samsara and nirvana. Bodhicitta is the essence of our nature. How to determine what kinds of compassion are lasting is the subject of this talk by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Temporary & Ultimate Compassion
Compassion spans both samsara and nirvana. Bodhicitta is the essence of our nature. How to determine what kinds of compassion are lasting is the subject of this talk by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Your Motivation for Kindness
Bodhicitta (Compassion) is the basic core of our true nature. As we reach for enlightenment, we come closer to that nature. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo helps us understand why kindness is just logical and how to develop it. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Use Devotion for Personal Change
Change isn't easy. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gives us some useful tools to use to help with those hard choices. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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How to Have Pure View of Your Guru
"Pure View" can be confusing to new students. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo takes the mystery out of "view" and gives solid advice on the steps to take. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Find the True Guru
The right guru can guide you to enlightenment. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo shows us how we can identify that teacher. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Personal Ethics in Buddhism
To be a true Buddhist, a personal ethical standard is a must. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo defines what that might look like and how we arrive at our goal. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Experience Holidays with a Calm Mind
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gave this teaching Christmas eve 1995. In it she describes the hope and fear that is magnified during the holiday season, using it as a way to understand the habits of our minds. During the holiday season our minds become even more unstable than usual, according to Jetsunma....
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Marrying Your Spiritual Life with Western Culture
Our spiritual life can be a precious living truth inside of us if we develop a deep and ultimate connection with our spiritual path. Jetsunma explains to us that this is not easy to do because our society is materialistic and removed from the natural current of life. Support the show For more...
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Compassion Stops the Suffering
Jetsunma takes us to a deeper understanding of the interdependence of the practices of Refuge and Bodhicitta. Leading us through the mental equations that will result in the cessation of suffering, she points out, "The cessation of suffering does not come about when everything external gets...
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Live a Sacred Life
The ideas of competition and materialism are taught to us as virtues during our childhood. Collecting things and going somewhere are pivotal ways of viewing our life’s progress. Jetsunma steers us away from these misconceptions: "Every moment is something that you have a sacred relationship with,...
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What do the Five Senses Really Tell You?
The five senses are about distinction - the idea of self-nature being inherently real. They are extensions of our ego. Why is the understanding of our own true nature so difficult for human beings? Jetsunma answers, "Because we are practicing the mantra of separation constantly, on five different...
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Chöd (Cutting the Ego) Western-style
When Jetsunma was in her early 20’s she practiced examining all aspects of life: physical, mental, emotional. What she found in the things of samsara: "There’s no future in this." At the same time, meditating upon the natural, luminous state that is free of contrivance, she would cry, realizing...
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The Logic of Dharma Practice
There is a deep prejudice in the West that has become almost invisible to us: the idea that one’s spiritual life is somehow separate from the rest of one’s life. This results in the habit of denial about the truth of our situation and we are literally paralyzed on the Path. We are trapped by the...
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How we Experience Perception
Each of us has our own "perceptual bubble", describes Jesunma Ahkon Lhamo, as she unveils for us the dynamics of how we perceive, and react to, everything around us. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Turning the Mind to Dharma
One of the first things we hear about in Buddhism is "turning the mind to Dharma". This is a study of the first teachings of the Buddha. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo walks us through this process, and explains how necessary it is to motivate us on the path. Support the show For more resources, teachings...
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How to Pacify Increasing Desire
The Buddha teaches us that the root of all suffering is desire. We've all had the experience of fulfilling one desire only to be overcome with the next. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo helps us unravel this endless loop to look at how we can begin to pacify this thirst in our minds. Support the show For…
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Loving-Kindness is Your Practice, by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo
The basis for understanding your true nature is Bodhicitta - the compassionate intent to benefit all beings. Kindness then becomes the essence of your practice. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo guides us in understanding how this works. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit...
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Equality of All That Lives, by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Since all of us have the Buddha nature intact within us, we are all equal. How we can practice that is addressed by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo in this teaching on the reality of who we are. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Desire & Dharma Warrior, by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo
How does one fight desire in our minds? In this teaching, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo teaches the way of the compassionate warrior. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Understanding Cause & Effect - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
What is karma? In this teaching, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo explains how the interdependence of cause and effect affects our lives. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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You Have the Power to Make a Better World - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
It takes extraordinary effort to lift out of suffering and reach enlightenment. On the way, you rely on the lineage, the Guru, and the knowledge of cause and result. Then step by step, you will reach your goal. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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The Lama Never Leaves You - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
In this teaching, focusing on the supports of Dharma, and the treasure they represent, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo explains that in truth, the Lama never leaves you. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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How To Reach Enlightenment
In this teaching, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo takes us through the steps that will support and lead to our own enlightenment as well as those who have hopes of us. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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AA, Buddhism, and Addiction - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
One of the few successful programs in treating substance abuse has been AA. Jetsunma explains how the AA method can be applied to our addiction to samsara. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Dakini In the Sphere of Truth - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
In this live teaching from 1991, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, following His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, opens the doors to the sphere of truth; sharing with us the qualities of activity expressed by the Dakini. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Creating a Deep Storehouse of Merit - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
In this teaching, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gives us an in-depth understanding of the Buddhist concept of merit and how it works in our lives. Through lucid explanation and example, Jetsunma shows us how meritorious intention and activity can lead us swiftly on the path to Buddhahood. Support the show...
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See Beyond Preconceptions
There is a whole world outside of our concepts. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gives us the keys to unlocking it. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Experience the Equality of All Beings - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo not only explains the logic of the equality of all beings, she takes us through various ways to experience our sameness. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Apply the Four Noble Truths - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
The "Four Noble Truths" was the first teaching given by the Buddha. In it he describes the truth of suffering, the end of suffering and the path out of suffering. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo shows us that applying these teachings in our lives will bring good results and increase our happiness. Support…
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Not Grasping Means Not Suffering - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Growing up in a materialistic culture, being taught to "be all that you can be", actually produces obstacles to the path to enlightenment. The definition of neurotic is acting in a way that is inappropriate according to reality. The Buddha teaches that this "self" into whose pockets you are…
more -
Emptiness & Compassion for Westerners - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
In traditionally Buddhist countries in the East, concepts like emptiness and Bodhicitta are common knowledge. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo explains how the fact that we did not grow up with this mind-set gives us a disadvantage, and how to work through it. For more resources and teachings you can visit...
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Methods for Awakening - Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo
Awakening to enlightenment involves breaking habits we have had since "time out of mind". Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gives us some methods using the Buddha's teachings that will help us accomplish our goal. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Qualities of Discursive Thought - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Have you ever wondered what makes up those "voices in your head"? They arise from discursive thought and Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo takes us through the process of identifying their cause, and applying their antidote. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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It's Decision Time: Who Are You? - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo explains clearly what it means to be a Buddhist and take refuge in the 3 jewels. Contrasting that is how we actually live our lives. This leads us to decision time. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
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Increase Your Stream of Merit - Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo
Ever wonder why Buddhists talk so much about "merit" or "virtue"? Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo answers these questions and explains what merit is, why you need it, and what to do to get it and keep it. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
About this show
The Buddhism for Beginners Podcast is brought to you by Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC). KPC was founded by Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo Rinpoche to uphold the Palyul lineage within the Nyingma tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. KPC is a hub of compassionate activity with a mission to inspire people to improve the world and end suffering for the benefit of all beings.
The Buddhism for Beginners podcast draws from a wealth of teachings by Jetsunma and other great masters from around the world. Gain insight and guidance into how you can apply foundational Buddhist principles and meditation techniques to use in your everyday life. For more teachings, meditations, and resources visit out online virtual temple at Tara.org.
Hosted by
Kunzang Palyul Choling - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo