Approaching Buddhism: Prayers and Rituals

Approaching Buddhism: Prayers and Rituals

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna unpacks teachings on prayers and rituals by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John gives guidance that prayers alone won’t lead us further on the path to awakening. He describes the interplay and importance of prayer with our virtuous actions and gives clarity on how…

Approaching Buddhism: Purification and Collection of Merit

Approaching Buddhism: Purification and Collection of Merit

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna gives a powerful commentary on the text Approaching Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John unpacks the topics of purification and accumulation of spiritual merit bringing to light how important these practices are for our wisdom to grow on the path to Enlightenment….

Approaching Buddhism: Two Aims and Four Reliances

Approaching Buddhism: Two Aims and Four Reliances

In this session, spiritual director John Bruna offers commentary on the text Approaching Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron. John clarifies the technical aspects of the two aims and four reliances as described in the Tibetan Buddhist Lam Rim teachings. He also answers questions about dependent arising and causal dependency…

Approaching Buddhism: Motivations for Different Levels of Practitioners

Approaching Buddhism: Motivations for Different Levels of Practitioners

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers daily and weekly guidance for those people interested in cultivating genuine happiness by following the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism. In this session, he gives a powerful teaching on the different motivations for different levels of practitioners. He gives commentary on the…

Approaching Buddhism: Compassion, Loving-kindness, and Forgiveness

Approaching Buddhism: Compassion, Loving-kindness, and Forgiveness

The Way of Compassion Dharma Center spiritual director, John Bruna, helps us understand and integrate teachings on cultivating love and compassion for those individuals who have hurt us deeply. He illuminates how engaging in a relationship with a transactional mindset sets us up for suffering and how our expectations of others should be realistic. John…

Approaching Buddhism: Releasing Anger and Accepting Defeat

Approaching Buddhism: Releasing Anger and Accepting Defeat

John Bruna, the spiritual director of the Way of Compassion Dharma Center, offers a teaching and guidance on the fifth verse of the eight verses of mind training as taught in Tibetan Buddhism. Whenever others out of jealousy, mistreat me with abuse, slander, and so on, I will practice accepting defeat, and offering the victory…