Buddhism for Beginners

Kunzang Palyul Choling - Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The Buddhism for Beginners Podcast is brought to you by Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC). KPC was founded by Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo Rinpoche to uphold the Palyul lineage within the Nyingma tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. KPC is a hub of compassionate activity with a mission to inspire people to improve the world and end suffering for the benefit of all beings.

The Buddhism for Beginners podcast draws from a wealth of teachings by Jetsunma and other great masters from around the world. Gain insight and guidance into how you can apply foundational Buddhist principles and meditation techniques to use in your everyday life. For more teachings, meditations, and resources visit out online virtual temple at Tara.org.

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20 episodes
Updated March 20

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Episodes20

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Make a Habit of Compassion
Most of our day involves one habit after another. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo teaches us how to make compassion a stronger and stronger habit, so we will experience happiness, and eventually liberation. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
March 20 · 44 min
How to Recognize a Qualified Teacher
You must have a qualified teacher to practice Vajrayana Buddhism. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo clarifies the qualities to look for and how to avoid making a mistake. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
March 13 · 44 min
Conceptual Proliferation
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo encourages us to unravel the many concepts we have, because they stand between us and having pure view. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
March 6 · 47 min
The Guru is the Light in Samsara
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo takes us on a journey through samsara, emphasizing the light (Guru) that guides our path. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
February 27 · 47 min
You Need Patience & Courage on the Path
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains the many ways it's important to have patience and courage as we begin a path to change our habits. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
February 20 · 57 min
Dispelling Dharma's Bad Rap
Buddhism often gets a bad rap for talking about suffering. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains why it is totally unfounded. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
February 13 · 51 min
Perception is a Squirrel Cage of Reaction
Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo takes the concept of perception and describes just what it is like for us in samsara. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Nov 21, 2025 · 46 min
Don't Wait to Feel Devotion
Devotion is often thought of as a "feeling". Actually, in Buddhism, it is based on logic. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains how if we wait for the "feeling" we will still be waiting when we die, without having achieved any result. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Nov 14, 2025 · 52 min
Hold Pure View of All Buddha's Paths
The Buddha taught many paths to reach enlightenment. They build on each other, and each one is perfect for a certain karma. Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains these paths and how each one is a pure path by itself, as well as linking to the next. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Nov 12, 2025 · 53 min
Emptiness and Compassion are Inseparable
The teachings tell us that "just as the rays of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself, emptiness and Bodhicitta are joined in a similar way" Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains how this is true. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Oct 24, 2025 · 38 min
The Hook of Compassion
The Guru appears to us as a display of our own nature - Bodhicitta. To show us our own face, they often display "the hook of compassion". Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo explains this process and what blessings it can bring. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Oct 17, 2025 · 51 min
Meditation in Action
Compassion spans both samsara and nirvana. Bodhicitta is the essence of our nature. How to determine what kinds of compassion are lasting is the subject of this talk by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Oct 3, 2025 · 26 min
Temporary & Ultimate Compassion
Compassion spans both samsara and nirvana. Bodhicitta is the essence of our nature. How to determine what kinds of compassion are lasting is the subject of this talk by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Sep 26, 2025 · 54 min
Your Motivation for Kindness
Bodhicitta (Compassion) is the basic core of our true nature. As we reach for enlightenment, we come closer to that nature. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo helps us understand why kindness is just logical and how to develop it. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Sep 19, 2025 · 43 min
Use Devotion for Personal Change
Change isn't easy. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gives us some useful tools to use to help with those hard choices. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Sep 12, 2025 · 38 min
How to Have Pure View of Your Guru
"Pure View" can be confusing to new students. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo takes the mystery out of "view" and gives solid advice on the steps to take. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Sep 5, 2025 · 38 min
Find the True Guru
The right guru can guide you to enlightenment. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo shows us how we can identify that teacher. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Aug 29, 2025 · 41 min
Personal Ethics in Buddhism
To be a true Buddhist, a personal ethical standard is a must. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo defines what that might look like and how we arrive at our goal. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Aug 23, 2025 · 49 min
Experience Holidays with a Calm Mind
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo gave this teaching Christmas eve 1995. In it she describes the hope and fear that is magnified during the holiday season, using it as a way to understand the habits of our minds. During the holiday season our minds become even more unstable than usual, according to Jetsunma. Our hopes and fears increase. "The more we grasp outwardly and try to secure what we want...the less happy we will be." Jetsunma discusses a compassionate way of life as a way to true and lasting happiness. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Dec 6, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
Marrying Your Spiritual Life with Western Culture
Our spiritual life can be a precious living truth inside of us if we develop a deep and ultimate connection with our spiritual path. Jetsunma explains to us that this is not easy to do because our society is materialistic and removed from the natural current of life. Support the show For more resources, teachings and practices, visit www.tara.org
Nov 29, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min

Buddhism for Beginners

Support the show

Make a Habit of Compassion

How to Recognize a Qualified Teacher

Conceptual Proliferation

The Guru is the Light in Samsara

You Need Patience & Courage on the Path

Dispelling Dharma's Bad Rap

Perception is a Squirrel Cage of Reaction

Don't Wait to Feel Devotion

Hold Pure View of All Buddha's Paths

Emptiness and Compassion are Inseparable

The Hook of Compassion

Meditation in Action

Temporary & Ultimate Compassion

Your Motivation for Kindness

Use Devotion for Personal Change

How to Have Pure View of Your Guru

Find the True Guru

Personal Ethics in Buddhism

Experience Holidays with a Calm Mind

Marrying Your Spiritual Life with Western Culture