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Featured Streaming Audio
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BASIC GOODNESS
Chogyam Trungpa
Part 1 14 mins
Part 2 17 mins
Part 3 12 mins
DHARMA MASTERS
Listen to more dharma teachings from 25 outstanding teachers at kalachakra.com
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Featured Streaming Video
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THE BOY KING
BBC Documentary
on the Karmapa
- 44 mins
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Featured Dharma Artist
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Dragon Mask
Fine Art Photography by
Joanne Chilton
Ad your website to our
Buddhist Art Links to qualify for the Ashoka New Media Featured Dharma Artist.
Sites are selected by our Curator, Gregory Houston. Gregory has a B.F.A. in Photo/Video from the Kansas City Art
Institute. He spent two years as an assistant mural painter at the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, and managed a
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WELCOME TO ASHOKA NEW MEDIA

This site is meant to simplify and enrichen your experience of Buddhism on the web. Please participate and enjoy.
STUDY BUDDHISM:
The links below are organized by subject, from the most basic Buddhist teachings to the most advanced, spanning the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The outline is organized in the fashion of a lam-rim. If you were to start at the beginning and work your way down, you would have a basic understanding of the entire Buddhist path.
Take your time.
DISCUSS BUDDHISM:
Visit the forums to discuss individual subjects. In general, the forums are not moderated by experts in any sense.
However, teachers who volunteer to moderate discussions may advertise their course schedules here free of charge.
READ AND SUBMIT NEWS AND ARTICLES:
Keep up to date with what is happening in the world of dharma.
HAVE FUN:
The Dharma is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end.
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Opening Your Study Session
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Explore the streaming media to the left and the advertising to the right. Once you are ready to study, try to remain in this central channel. If you follow the study links and suddenly find yourself reading about the latest fashions in Paris, simply return to this page where you left off. The following is one method of preparing your mind for study.
CHANT:
Homage to the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions.
Grant your blessings so that my mind may be one with the dharma.
Grant your blessings so that dharma may progress along the path.
Grant your blessings so that the path may clarify confusion.
Grant your blessings so that confusion may dawn as wisdom.
MEDITATE: Rest your mind for a couple minutes before beginning.
When you are ready to end your study session, scroll down to the bottom of this page for suggestions on closing.
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Introductions to Buddhism
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The first four teachings below on the Four Noble Truths are excellent introductions to Buddhism.
If you would like a concise overview of the Mahayana Path, beginning with the Four Noble Truths, you might
begin by reading the following condensed Lam-Rim teaching,
The Graduated Path to Liberation: A Guide to Developing the Mind, by Geshe Rabten Rinpoche.
Return here then to start exploring these teachings in greater depth. Try to remember the words that you have
read so that later you may contemplate those words and meditate on their meaning.
Please note that these teachings are not meant to replace, but rather supplement
the oral transmission of an authentic teacher. Enjoy.
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Lam-Rim Part I: Hinayana
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H.1. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The Four Noble Truths - Thrangu Rinpoche
The Four Noble Truths - Ngawang Chotak
The Four Noble Truths - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
The Four Noble Truths - H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
Suggested Book on this Subject:
The Four Noble Truths - H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
H.2. THE SIXTEEN ASPECTS OF THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS [Beginners can skip this chapter.]
Looking for a talk online dedicated to this subject.
Please contact contact@ashokanewmedia.com if you know of one. Thank you.
H.3. THE THREE UNIVERSAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Three Universal Characteristics - Peter Della Santina
H.4. THE EIGHT WORLDLY DHARMAS
What are the Eight Worldly Concerns? - Ven. Carol Corradi
H.5. THE FOUR MARAS
Mara and His Children
Uncommon View of Mara [Vajrayana perspective]
H.6. THE FOUR REMINDERS
The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to the Dharma - Ven. Lama Ganga
The Four Ways of Changing the Mind: Or The Four Ordinary Foundations - Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
The Four Ordinary Foundations - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
H.7. THE PRECIOUS HUMAN LIFE
We Should Not Waste This Opportunity - Khenpo Chodrak Rinpoche
A Perfect Human Rebirth - Khensur Lobsang Thubten Rinpoche
Chiggala Sutta (The Hole) - Buddha Sakyamuni [This is the famous turtle in the ocean example]
Nakhasikha Sutta (The Tip of the Fingernail) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.8. IMPERMANENCE AND DEATH
Impermanence - Thich Nhat Hanh
Death and Dying in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition - [Vajrayana] - Compiled by: Ven. Pende Hawter
Pabbatopama Sutta (The Simile of the Mountains) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.9. KARMA AND ITS RESULT
My Perfect Teacher Explains Karma - Lama Zopa
Understanding Karma - Acharya Reginald Ray
Maha-kammavibhanga Sutta (The Great Exposition of Kamma) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.10. THE SUFFERING OF SAMSARA
How We Make Ourselves Suffer - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
The Endless Migration - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
The Six Realms - Ngakchang Rinpoche
The Six Realms of Existence - Ven. Guren Martin
Interactive Tour of the Wheel of Life
Attachment: The Biggest Problem on Earth - Lama Thubten Yeshe
31 Realms of Existence [Chart]
H.11. RENUNCIATION
What is Renunciation? - Lama Thubten Yeshe
Renunciation - Tsenshab Serkong Rinpoche
The Separation from the Four Attachments - Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen
H.12. REFUGE
Becoming a Buddhist - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Taking Refuge - Ven. Kalu Rinpoche
Taking Refuge: Destinaton Buddhahood - Tai Situ Rinpoche
Buddhist Refuge - Geshe Michael Roach
A Teaching on Refuge - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
H.13. THE THREE JEWELS
In a Word, Dharma - Acharya Reginald Ray
The Meaning of Sangha - Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
M.14. BUDDHA NATURE
The Heart of the Buddhist View - Ven. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
H.15. THE SPIRITUAL TEACHER/ELDER
Udayi Sutta (About Udayin) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.16. RECEIVING TEACHINGS (3 FAULTS, 6 MENTAL POLLUTIONS, 4 RIGHT ATTITUDES)
Proper Motivation and Behaviour for Receiving Dharma Teachings - H.E. Dezhung Rinpoche
H.17. THE THREE TURNINGS
The Speaking Three: The Turning of the Wheel of Dharma - Lama Doboom Tulku
H.18. THE TEN OXHERDING PICTURES
Oxherding - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Ten Oxherding Pictures
H.19. THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH [For lay people]
The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering - Bhikkhu Bodhi
H.20. THE FIVE PATHS [For practitioners]
The Five Paths and Ten Levels - Geshe Rabten Rinpoche
H.21. VIEW, MEDITATION AND ACTION
View, Meditation and Conduct - Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
H.22. LISTENING, CONTEMPLATION AND MEDITATION
Importance of Developing the Three Types Of Wisdom (Prajna) - The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
The Commentary on Miphams Sherab Raltri Entitled the Blazing Lights of the Sun and Moon - Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche [ADVANCED]
Dhammassavana Sutta (Listening to the Dhamma) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.23. TRIPITAKA [Reference: Beginners may skip this]
Tipitaka: The Pali Canon
H.24. VINAYA [Reference: Applies mostly to monks and nuns]
Vinaya Pitaka: The Basket of Vinaya
H.25. THE TEN VIRTUOUS AND TEN UNVIRTUOUS ACTIONS
Buddhist Conduct: The Ten Virtuous Actions (PDF) - Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
Abandoning What is Not Worthwile - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
Atta-rakkhita Sutta (Self-protected) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.26. SUTRA [Reference: Beginners may skip this.]
In general, if a Sutra has one major topic I have placed it under that topic heading. The Sutras below are those that may cover a wide range of topics.
Dhammapada
Maha-Nidana Sutta: The Great Cuases Discourse
Topics include dependent co-arising and not-self.
H.27 SHASTRA (SUTRA COMMENTARIES)
King of Samadhi Sutra - Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
H.28. ABHIDHARMA [Reference: Beginners may skip this]
An Introduction to the Abidharma - Peter Della Santina
Abhidamma Pitaka
H.29. THE FIVE AGGREGATES (SKANDHAS)
The Five Skandhas - Lama Surya Das
The Five Aggregates - Peter Della Santina
Maha-punnama Sutta (The Great Full-moon Night Discourse) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.30. THE KLESAS
Anger - Lama Zopa Rinpoche
The 108 Kinds of Emotional Desires (Klesas) [Chart]
Atthasatapariyaya Sutta (One Hundred Eight Feelings) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.31. THE 51 SAMSKARAS (MENTAL FORMATIONS)
The 51 Mental Events (Samskaras)
H.32. THE TWELVE NIDANAS http://www.ashokanewmedia.com/ INTERDEPENDENT ORIGINATION http://www.ashokanewmedia.com/ DEPENDENT CO-ARISING)
The Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination - Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
The Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination - Geshe Rabten Rinpoche
The Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising - Thich Nhat Hanh
The Twelve Nidansa - Theodore de Macedo Soares
Interdependent Origination - Peter Della Santina
The Wheel of Life
Paticca-samuppada-vibhanga Sutta (Analysis of Dependent Co-arising) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.33. EGOLESSNESS
The Wisdom of Egolessness - Sogyal Rinpoche
Who Are You and Where Can You Be Found? - Lama Thubten Yeshe
H.34. MEDITATION INSTRUCTION
Meditation Instruction - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
How to do Mindfulness Meditation - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Going at Your Own Pace - Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
A Guide to Shamatha Meditation - Thrangu Rinpoche
Taming the Horse, Riding the Mind - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Natural Dharma - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Reason We Practice Meditation - Thrangu Rinpoche
Seven Points on Meditation - Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
Wisdom of Meditation - H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche
The Heart of Mindfulness - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
An Introduction to Meditation Practice - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
The Perfection of Concentration - Geshe Rabten Rinpoche
H.35. THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Mahasatipatthana Sutta (Four Foundations of Mindfulness) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.36. THE SIX KINDS OF LONELINESS
The Six Kinds of Loneliness - Pema Chodron
H.37. FEARLESSNESS
Dhajagga Sutta (Banner Protection) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.38 THE FIVE STRENGTHS
Vitthara Sutta (Strengths) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.39. SAMADHI
Developing Samadhi - Lama Gelek Rinpoche
H.40. THE FOUR FEET OF MIRACLE POWERS
Iddhipada-vibhanga Sutta (Analysis of the Bases of Power) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.41. WALKING MEDITATION
A Guide to Walking Meditation - Thich Nhat Hanh
H.42. MEDITATION IN ACTION
Practicing Dharma in Daily Life - Venerable Zopa Rinpoche
H.43. AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
It Starts With Uncertainty: Margaret Wheatley and Pema Chödrön on Leading by Letting Go
Changing How We Work Together - An interview with Peter Senge and Margaret Wheatley
Journey of Authentic Leadership - Michael Chender
The Art of War - by Sun Tzu, presented by the Denma Translation Group (Shambhala Publications, 2001) [Each chapter is online in Streaming Audio format]
H.44. SANGHA
Dharma Talk: Sangha Means Community
Sangaha Sutta (The Bonds of Fellowship) - Buddha Sakyamuni
H.45. THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES
The Practice of the Four Immeasurables - Ven Sangye Khadro
H.46. LOVING-KINDNESS (MAITRI/METTA)
The Love That Never Dies
Loving-kindness - Pema Chodron
Loving Oneself - by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
The Benefits of Cherishing Others - Lama Zopa
Meditation on Love and Compassion - Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
H.47. COMPASSION (KARUNA)
Compassion: A Religion for All - H.H. Dalai Lama
Compassion without Illusions - Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
H.48. JOY
Joy Meditation
H.49. EQUANIMITY
Equanimity
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Lam-Rim Part III: Vajrayana
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There is some variance of opinion on what material should be restricted. I believe most people would agree however
that introductions to Vajrayana and the stories of the Lineage holders should be available to anyone who may
have an interest in them. Buddhist teachings on Vajrayana yoga and translations of the actual Tantras can be
dangerous if misunderstood and would tend to be considered restricted material. Some teachers will request that you only study a specific translation of a
teaching as well; quality control. I have tried to mark those teachings in the Vajrayana section that I believe
are generally considered restricted as such. If in doubt, please ask your teacher or one of his/her senior students.
For mantra and visualization practices not considered tantric, please see the previous section.
OPEN VAJRAYANA GATE
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Closing Your Study Session
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MEDITATE: Rest your mind for a couple minutes.
MAHAYANA DEDICATION OF MERIT (CHANT):
By this merit may all attain omniscience.
May it defeat the enemy wrong-doing.
From the stormy waves of birth, old age, sickeness and death,
From the ocean of samsara, may I free all beings.
AND OR, THE SHAMBHALA DEDICATION OF MERIT (CHANT):
By the confidence of the golden sun of the Great East,
May the lotus garden of the Rigdens wisdom bloom.
May the dark ignorance of sentient beings be dispelled.
May all beings enjoy profound brilliant glory.
If you would like to discuss what you have learned, please feel free to visit the forums.
Thank you for coming. Good luck.
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H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche on the Importance of Lam-Rim Study
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To be able to work for sentient beings we must train our minds in bodhicitta and thought transformation. This starts with subduing the mind through study and reflection on the lam-rim teachings. This is the most important thing and is the basis for the practice of the entire path to enlightenment. Even though the practice of tantra is so important and is the incomparable method for attaining the unified state of Vajradhara, it depends completely on the lam-rim. Just as the Tibetan delicacy made of powdered cheese and butter is said to depend on the kindness of the butter, without which it would be just a pile of dry cheese, so too does the profound tantra depend on the kindness of the sutra and lam-rim teachings, the graduated paths of those of the three levels of capability. Whoever tries to practice the generation and completion stages of tantra without having gone through these is like a small child gazing around a temple: nothing happens.
You should all study the lam-rim thoroughly, and on the basis of that try to change your minds. That is the essential point. If you then practice the Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara or Vajrabhairava tantras your efforts will be incomparable and you will be able to achieve the unified state of Vajradhara. Please take this advice to heart.
And each of you should take the responsibility of spreading Dharma so that, like the rising sun, it illuminates the darkness of the world. You have been doing so; please do still more. We should all pray for success in this.
-H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
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