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Most of the spiritual traditions were very theistic and the idea of an external god pulling the strings didn't resonate with me. I then discovered Buddhism and found the perfect path. I felt so grateful to the Buddha for having given the path, and not just explaining the end result, but showing so clearly how to get there.

Tenzin Palmo

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Tenzin Palmo
Age: 81
Born: 1943
Born: January 1
Author
Bhikkhuni
Nun
Writer
Herts
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Felt
Grateful
Explaining
Given
Result
Pulling
Found
Tradition
External
Didn
Results
Strings
Ends
Path
Showing
Theistic
Ideas
Perfect
Discovered
Resonate
Spiritual
Clearly
Traditions
Idea
Buddhism
Buddha

More quotes by Tenzin Palmo

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Everyone should not be ordained, but for those who really feel that the only thing that matters in this world is the Dharma, then it is a logical step to adopt a form of life that automatically precludes worldly distractions.
Tenzin Palmo
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In fact there are beautiful people in this world doing incredibly selfless acts over and over and over. Dedicating their lives completely for the welfare and happiness of others.
Tenzin Palmo
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As a human being, we have everything we need. It's enough suffering to give us incentive to go on, but not so much that we don't know where to turn.
Tenzin Palmo
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You think you're enlightened. But as my lama said, when you realize the intrinsic nature of the mind, then you start to meditate. It's not the end, it's the beginning.
Tenzin Palmo
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In the beginning especially, we won't realize we're changing.
Tenzin Palmo
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The purpose of dharma is to help your mind to expand, to grow, to clarify. It should uphold us and create an inner sense of peace, joy, and clarity.
Tenzin Palmo
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As women become more educated and confident, they can start adding their voice.
Tenzin Palmo
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If you don't find that people find you're easier to live with than you were before, if you don't find that your heart is feeling warmer toward others and if your negative emotions are not getting any better, then there's something wrong. That is always the touchstone of the Dharma practice.
Tenzin Palmo
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The power of thought is extremely powerful.
Tenzin Palmo
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If you just follow your inner calling, then you just go ahead.
Tenzin Palmo
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We have to cultivate contentment with what we have. We really don't need much. When you know this, the mind settles down. Cultivate generosity. Delight in giving. Learn to live lightly. In this way, we can begin to transform what is negative into what is positive. This is how we start to grow up.
Tenzin Palmo
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The internet can be enormously helpful, just like books can, but I don't think it's the be all and end all for really practicing Buddhism. At a certain point, as with learning any skill, we need personal instruction from someone who is more advanced than us.
Tenzin Palmo
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If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It will take time. But the difference between the first girls from Ladakh who became nuns, to the girls we have now, is very encouraging.
Tenzin Palmo
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Because we're trying, because we want, it's very hard to get.
Tenzin Palmo
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At one time I thought that if I could really understand renunciation and bodhichitta from the depths of my heart, then, for this lifetime that would be enough.
Tenzin Palmo
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Monastic life cuts off the distractions and emotional entanglements one becomes involved in, in the lay life.
Tenzin Palmo
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When I was in retreat I just did my meditation sessions and, in-between, reading and things I had to do.
Tenzin Palmo
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Until you are open, you cannot receive.
Tenzin Palmo
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The first thing is to learn how to quiet the mind, relax the mind, and bring the awareness to the front so that we are conscious of what we're doing when we're doing it without all the commentary.
Tenzin Palmo
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Caves are beautiful things you know. They're thermostatically controlled - warm when it's cold out and cool when it's warm. Very quiet. Nobody there. Especially in the winter - it was perfect. Also, because it's a cave, you can't do much with it.
Tenzin Palmo