Green Tara - Winter 2009
by Venerable Thubten Chodron
Sravasti Abbey, Newport, WA
14 December 2009 - 10 March 2010

Tara represents the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas and is especially efficacious for eliminating obstacles and bringing success. Doing the Tara practice is an excellent way to develop compassion and forgiveness towards yourself and others. The practice also helps us to purify a great amount of destructive karmic seeds on our mind stream and to create a huge amount of merit which enriches our mind and is the cause of happiness.

During this retreat, Venerable Chodron will also continue her commentary on "Mind Training Like Rays of the Sun," which she began in September 2008 at the Abbey. Audio and transcribed files from the retreat on this topic will be posted there as they become available.

12 December 2009

Labeling Thoughts
Ven. Chodron talks about how to watch the mind and work with it during retreat. She talks about watching the thoughts and emotions that arise. Ven. Chodron also talks about the benefit of labeling these and how to do that in a constructive way.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file
Transcript : Download Word document

14 December 2009

Practicing in a Group Retreat
Audio [8 minutes]: Download mp3 file
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15 December 2009

What it Means to do Retreat
Ven. Chodron explains what it means to do a retreat. She also talks about how to approach the sadhana, how to keep the practice fresh during retreat and avoid getting bored. Ven. Chodron also gives instruction on doing the parts of the sadhana and doing the visualization.
Audio [60 minutes] : Download mp3 file
Transcript : Download Word document

15 December 2009

Living in Community
Ven. Chodron talks about following precepts and relating to others during the retreat.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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16 December 2009

Motivation for the Green Tara Retreat
Ven. Chodron talks about setting the motivation for doing the Tara retreat, how to approach the retreat and practice. She also talks about watching the mind during the retreat to see the habitual ways we think. She goes on to talk about developing wholesome ways of thinking that lead to long term happiness and counteracting mental states that lead to unhappiness.
Audio [31 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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17 December 2009

Who is Tara?
Ven. Chodron talks about who Tara is and how to relate to Tara.
Audio [2 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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18 December 2009

Tara's Qualities
Ven. Chodron explains how to reflect on Tara's qualities. She talks about how to view the physical manifestations of Tara as signs of the mental qualities of a Buddha.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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19 December 2009

Tara as Resultant Refuge
Ven. Chodron talks about viewing Tara as the resultant refuge - the body, speech and mind of all the Buddhas that we will become. She also talks about why Tara should not be viewed as a god.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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21 December 2009

Lamrim Meditation
Ven. Chodron answers a question on the reason for doing the lamrim portion of the sadhana before the absorption of Tara.
Audio [3 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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22 December 2009

Equinox and Change
Ven. Chodron gave this talk on the first day of winter and explains how we can use the event to reflect on change and impermanence. She also talks about how labeling a day the first day of winter can be used to reflect on how things are merely labeled.
Audio [9 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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23 December 2009

How to See Tara
Ven. Chodron explains how to view Tara. She explains why it is incorrect to project human qualities on Tara or see her as a theistic god.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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24 December 2009

Tara is not Inherently Existent
Ven. Chodron explains that Tara should not be viewed as inherently existent. She also talks about meditating on emptiness during the sadhana.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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26 December 2009

Tara's Wisdom
Ven. Chodron explains that Tara should not be viewed as inherently existent. She also talks about meditating on emptiness during the sadhana.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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28 December 2009

Absorption Phase
Ven. Chodron talks about what it means to develop conviction in the the Dharma teachings. She also explains how to approach the Dharma in a constructive way.
Audio [11 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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29 December 2009

Omniscient Mind
Ven. Chodron explains the difference between having Buddha potential and the Buddha's omniscient mind. She explains that having Buddha nature or potential does not mean we are already Buddhas.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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30 December 2009

Emptiness Feels so Solid
Ven. Chodron answers a question on emptiness explaining how it is not a solid, positive phenomenon, but a non-affirming negative.
Audio [3 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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31 December 2009

Emptiness as the Nature, not Creator, of Phenomena
Ven. Chodron continues the clarification of emptiness and how it is not a substrate from which all arises. She also talks about the relationship between ultimate and conventional truths.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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01 January 2010

Emptiness and Worldly Appearances
Ven. Chodron answers a question on the difference between emptiness and other worldly qualities. She explains how we don't question the ways in which things appear to us.
Audio [18 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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02 January 2010

Emptiness and Nonduality
In response to a question, Ven. Chodron explains how the perception of emptiness is non-dual, without the experience of subject and object.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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04 January 2010

Front-Generation versus Self-Generation Deity Practice
Ven. Chodron explains difference between self-generation and front-generation as well as the the initiation and permission needed for self-generation deity practice.
Audio [3 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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Dharma Protector Practices
Ven. Chodron answers a question on Dharma protectors and explains misconceptions about them.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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Independent and Dependent Existence, Permanent and Eternal Clarified
Ven. Chodron clarifies the difference between the meaning of independent and dependent existence. She also explains the difference between a permanent and eternal phenomena.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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05 January 2010

Explanation of Emptiness for Those New to the Topic
Ven. Chodron gives a basic explanation of the topic of emptiness.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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06 January 2010

Negating Inherent Existence Does Not Mean Nothing Exists
Ven. Chodron explains the danger in thinking that the lack of inherent existence equals non-existence. She goes on to explain that while things do not exist inherently they exist conventionally.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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07 January 2010

Questioning Perceptions and What is Valid
Ven. Chodron talks about how things can be empty of inherent existence and arise dependently and that this is not contradictory. She explains how we can have reliable conventional cognition of objects even though we are not seeing the ultimate nature of those objects.
Audio [10 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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8 January 2010

Making Decisions With Our Mistaken Consciousnesses
Ven. Chodron answers a question on how we can make decisions if your consciousness is mistaken. She explains the difference between a mistaken consciousness and an erroneous consciousness.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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9 January 2010

Working On Our Attachments
Ven. Chodron talks about the importance of investigating the objects of our attachment and anger. She explains the role of inappropriate attention.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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11 January 2010

Why It's Important to Think About Emptiness
Ven. Chodron explains how realizing emptiness and eliminating ignorance leads to liberation from samsara and suffering.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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11 January 2010

Attachment to Reputation
Ven. Chodron talks about how we can be over sensitive to what others say about us. She explains how attachment to reputation is related to our anger at criticism.
Audio [ 8 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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12 January 2009

Praise and Criticism
Ven. Chodron talks about looking at how to work with our mind when we face praise and criticism.
Audio [3 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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13 January 2010

Self-Evaluation in a Reasonable Way
Ven. Chodron talks about how we can evaluate our self reasonably in the face of criticism and praise.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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14 January 2010

Dealing with Difficult People
In response to a question, Ven. Chodron talks about dealing with those we view as difficult people. She explains how we can pick out one quality of a person, project an adjective on to it, then label that person, making it their identity.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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15 January 2010

Clairvoyant Powers
Ven. Chodron explains why clairvoyant powers are not the purpose of the path and why the Buddha limited the display of such powers.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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16 January 2010

Fear and Wisdom Fear
Ven. Chodron talks about two types of fear. She discusses emotional fear that is due to attachment and wisdom fear that is sense of caution.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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18 January 2010

Facing Fears
Ven. Tarpa talks about facing fears related to the body, including injury and pain.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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19 January 2010

Conditioned Fear
Abbey resident Kathleen Herron talks about looking at fears and the anxiety they create.
Audio [9 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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20 January 2010

Seeing Through Fears
Ven. Tarpa discusses how fears are wrong conceptions that are habitual ways of thinking.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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21 January 2010

Keeping the Mind Calm When Facing Harm
Ven. Chodron talks about how we can function and do something beneficial if we can calm the mind in a situation of harm.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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22 January 2010

Unrealistic Fear
Ven. Chodron talks about how to work with the mind when it goes into fear and panic mode. She talks about using small things we fear as practice opportunities for the bigger things we may face.
Audio [11 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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23 January 2010

The Buddha Is Free From Fear
Ven. Chonyi talks about why the Buddha is free from fear. She looks at the afflictions that cause fear.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file
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25 January 2010

Inherent Views and Opinions
Ven. Chodron relates an anecdote of the Dalai Lama to show how we form solid, unchanging opinions of others.
Audio [2 minutes] : Download mp3 file

26 January 2010

The Antidotes to Fear
Ven. Chonyi talks about the antidotes that can be used to counteract fear.
Audio [9 minutes] : Download mp3 file

27 January 2010

Who is the "I" that is Anxious
Kathleen Herron talks about looking for the "I" when feeling anxious and not finding it.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file

28 January 2010

Looking at the Mind When Feeling Stressed-Out
Ven. Tarpa talks about examining the mind when feeling stressed out and working with the mind and circumstances.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file

29 January 2010

Fearlessness and Refuge
Ven. Semkye explains that the Buddha cannot remove our fears for us but has provided the road map to allow us to achieve fearlessness.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file

30 January 2010

Being Dispassionate Toward Perception
Ven. Jampel talks about the benefit of being dispassionate toward sense pleasures and material items.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file

31 January 2010

Contentment
Ven. Jampel explains what contentment is and how to cultivate it.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file

1 February 2010

Why the Buddha is a Reliable Refuge
Ven. Jigme explains why the Buddha is a reliable refuge and the benefit of deepening one's sense of refuge.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file

2 February 2010

Commentary on the Request to Tara
Ven. Chonyi talks about the request made to Tara from the Green Tara sadhana.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file

4 February 2010

Fortitude and Joyous Effort
Ven. Chodron talks about the importance of enthusiasm and perseverance in retreat and practice.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file

5 February 2010

Tara as the Object of Serenity Meditation
Ven. Chodron talks about concentrating on the visualization of Tara during the sadhana.
Audio [9 minutes] : Download mp3 file

6 February 2010

Disbelief and Distrust of False Appearances
Answering a question, Ven. Chodron explains the difference between the false appearance of inherent existence and conventional existence.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file

8 February 2010

Awareness of Emptiness
Ven. Chodron talks about strengthening the awareness of emptiness. She explains how to investigate if the "I" can be identified in the body and mind.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file

9 February 2010

Subtle Mind and the Wind in Tantra
Ven. Chodron answers a question on what appears to the mind during meditation on emptiness in tantric practice.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file

10 February 2010

Dismantling Personal Identity
Ven. Chodron talks about examining how our mind puts parts together through a conceptual process and see the object as existing from it own side.
Audio [16 minutes] : Download mp3 file

11 February 2010

Dependent Arising and Causal Dependence
Ven. Chodron talks about the different levels of dependent arising. She explains how dependent arising refutes inherent existence and establishes conventional arising.
Audio [7 minutes] : Download mp3 file

12 February 2010

Dependent Arising and Dependence on Parts
Ven. Chodron explains why dependence on parts precludes independence and inherent existence.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file

13 February 2010

Working with the Tara Sadhana
Ven. Chodron talks about personalizing the sadhana and avoiding rigidity.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file

15 February 2010

Causal Dependence
Ven. Chodron answers a question on causal dependence and karma.
Audio [4 minutes] : Download mp3 file

16 February 2010

Dependent Arising and Dependent Designation
Ven. Chodron explains how things are dependent on concept and label.
Audio [12 minutes] : Download mp3 file

17 February 2010

What is a Rinpoche and Designating a Label
Ven. Chodron explains the use of titles in Tibetan Buddhism and how they may be used in different ways. She explains how one should observe the qualities of a teacher and not just go by titles.
Audio [12 minutes] : Download mp3 file

18 February 2010

Developing Self-Acceptance
Ven. Chodron talks about developing real self-acceptance. She talks how we can accept the reality of our past actions without judging our self as a bad person. Ven. Chodron explains how self-acceptance comes through having compassion for ourself which is built upon separating the action and the person.
Audio [15 minutes] : Download mp3 file

19 February 2010

The Food Offering as a Meditation on Dependence
Ven. Chodron explains how we can contemplate the causes and conditions and the kindness of others that led to our receiving the food we will eat. She talks about how we can develop both the method and the wisdom side of the path by doing this.
Audio [3 minutes] : Download mp3 file

20 February 2010

Food Offering and Labeling on a Valid Basis
Ven. Chodron explains how to view the food offering as a valid basis of designation.
Audio [13 minutes] : Download mp3 file

22 February 2010

Deluded Thinking and Labeling
Answering a question, Ven. Chodron explains three criteria for something to exist conventionally, to be the proper basis for a label.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file

23 February 2010

Mutual Dependence
Ven. Chodron explains another way to look at dependence, how things arise in mutual dependence on each other.
Audio [14 minutes] : Download mp3 file

24 February 2010

Mutual Dependence in Generosity
Ven. Chodron explains how, in an act of generosity, the agent, action, object and recipient are mutually dependent.
Audio [8 minutes] : Download mp3 file

25 February 2010

Receiving Praise and the Bodhisattva Vow
Ven. Chodron talks about the benefit of praising others and how to receive praise in accordance with the Bodhisattva vow.
Audio [11 minutes] : Download mp3 file

26 February 2010

Self-Generation and Emptiness
Ven. Chodron explains how to imagine emptiness during self-generation practice.
Audio [6 minutes] : Download mp3 file

27 February 2010

Buddhist Day of Miracles
Ven. Chodron explains what the Buddhist Day of Miracles is and how to observe it.
Audio [5 minutes] : Download mp3 file