Blog for Tibetan Buddhism, Lam Rim, Buddhist Pilgrimage and sangha.

Lam Rim on the Road: Reflections on the Perfection of Generosity Dec 04, 2021

Dharma teachings sometimes happen in mysterious ways, masquerading as everyday occurrences or through the behavior of unlikely characters. Several years ago, while working with marginalized populations, a patient taught me a treasured lesson. I was caught off guard when they handed me a package,...

The Perfection of Virtue or Morality | Step 25 of Awakening in 30 Steps Aug 10, 2021

There are three types of morality:

1) Restraining from causing harm

2) Accumulating merit through virtue

3) Benefiting all sentient beings

Want an assignment? Look up the ten non-virtues and their opposites.

Using my snowflake model how is the perfection of morality connected and enhanced by...

Preciousness of Human Life Inspires Appreciation | Step 9 of Awakening in 30 Steps Jul 20, 2021

Life is beginingless and consciousness is infinite.

Over the course of evolution our karma has compelled us to ascended and descend to various pleasant and unpleasant states of existence. But fundamentally we have always been trapped in a condition of blindness, not knowing who we really are,...

The Mentor Bonding Process | Step 5 Jul 13, 2021

Work with virtue and vice using the mentor-bonding process.

The engine of enlightenment is a sacred relationship.

It’s in the context of a close relational bond that we will eliminate vice, and cultivate virtue, and achieve enlightenment. No one makes it alone!

We must strike a balance, a...

Four Parts of Karma Mar 03, 2021

There are what are called the four parts of karma. We think of karma as one thing but karma is actually many things. Not only is karma cause but karma is also the effect. They come together. They are interdependent. You can't have a cause without an effect.

The root verb for karma in Sanskrit...

View & Virtue Oct 06, 2020

One of Tsongkhapa's big critiques is that you cannot arrive at enlightenment without a good start. Don't throw out your conceptual knowledge. Don't throw out your ability to reason your way to enlightenment.

Go back for a second to the image of meditation in our culture. What does it look like?...

Buddhist Pilgrimage: Purpose and Practice: deepening one’s connection, devotion and commitment to the Dharma Oct 10, 2019

Pilgrimage changed my life, and in the last twenty years since my first adventure to the holy sites of the Buddha in Northern India when I was just twenty years old, I’ve had the fortune to embark on five other excursions. Now I lead pilgrimages to sacred sites all over Buddhist Asia,...

Contemplative Studies Program Blog

One of Tsongkhapa's big critiques is that you cannot arrive at enlightenment without a good start. Don't throw out your conceptual knowledge. Don't throw out your ability to reason your way to enlightenment.

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