• The Three Commitments

  • Walking the Path of Liberation
  • By: Pema Chödrön
  • Narrated by: Pema Chodron
  • Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (313 ratings)

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The Three Commitments  By  cover art

The Three Commitments

By: Pema Chödrön
Narrated by: Pema Chodron
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Publisher's summary

Tibetan Buddhism describes three gates that everyone must pass through on the road to spiritual liberation. With the Three Commitments, Pema Chodron brings her unique blend of insight and gentle instruction to guide practitioners through each of these thresholds as they seek the source of true happiness.

As Pema explains, suffering arises when we resist the laws of impermenance - the fact that everything we know, including ourselves, will one day die. Here she provides teachings and practices for fully embracing life's ephemeral nature using these three traditional monastic vows or "commitments".

©2010 Sounds True (P)2010 Sounds True

What listeners say about The Three Commitments

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Jo
  • 05-02-12

Excellent but incomplete

This CD is clearly a distillation from a retreat during which the Buddhist vows of ordination were being taught. This is not specifically stated. Two of these, the protimoksha vow and the boddhisattva vow are both referenced and well taught on this CD. The samaya vow, the vow pertaining to tantric enlightenment, is mentioned but not included here. Although the reasons for this are obvious - these are very advanced teachings - it does make the title a misnomer and the content a little confusing to the layman. As a layman myself, I had to do some research to fill in the informational gaps.

That said, teachers don't come any better than Pema Chodron and anything she teaches is worth our attention. I read/listen to anything of hers that I can get my hands on and I highly recommend her to anyone interested in Buddhist thought.

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45 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Most recommended Retreat

What did you love best about The Three Commitments?

As a Buddhist practitioner for the past 42 years, I can only say how wonderful it must be for new Sangha members to be able to hear these teachings presented in such a natural easy to understand way. As with almost any Truth the actual practice could take a life time and depending on how much resistance, might also be quite painful.Of all her recorded retreats my recommendation would be this one. Yet , I may like it most because it is the newest. Thank you old friend,
Scott [ from Colorado]

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14 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Incomplete based on Title

What did you love best about The Three Commitments?

Very indepth teaching from Pema

Would you be willing to try another book from Pema Chodron? Why or why not?

Of course. I have others. Not the first nor the last

What does Pema Chodron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Humor. Authenticity at a very human level

Any additional comments?

What is missing are all three commitments. I presume because the listener is not taking monastic vows. Seems appropriate in hindsight, but the title is very misleading when we don't hear everything. Even a chapter heading refers to the commitment and then Pema goes on to talk about something else.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Dr
  • 11-03-11

Classic instructional epic from the Master

Her insightful, relaxed teaching style is unparalleled. There is nothing to criticize in this masterful guide to seeking a meaningful existence in the midst of the storms of being human.

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7 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unlistenable

What would have made The Three Commitments better?

I'm sure there is wisdom to be gained from the content, but I was unable to focus on the words because the audio (recorded live as a part of a weekend course) was clipped and buzzing. Next time hire a professional audio engineer. Please.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good material, mediocre audio quality

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is good material, but partway into the book/lecture, the audio quality gets bad. It is distracting enough that it interferes with the book. I will keep the book because I like it, but I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone else.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pema Chodron is always a pleasure to listen to.

What about Pema Chodron’s performance did you like?

I especially like her sense of humor and down to earth approach.

Was The Three Commitments worth the listening time?

Yes. Absolutely. I just wish the audio quality was better.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A lecture...not a book

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Although I love the message and Pema's presentation, this is more of a retrat lecture rather than a book

Would you be willing to try another book from Pema Chodron? Why or why not?

Yes...I love her books

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She was fine

Was The Three Commitments worth the listening time?

Yes..., but because it's a lecture, the message isn't as succinct as her book would have been.

Any additional comments?

I was looking for this title: Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change and got the other instead

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pema at her best

Although the long silences for meditation make finding place again when stopped a bit disconcerting, this is classic Pema. Wise, cheerful, serious, insightful and an always great and inspirational teacher. Worth many listening, a real treasure.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beyond helpful !!

Im really fascinating with these teachings ... I'm very exited with the knowledge and I'm looking forward to putting in practice as much as I can ...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

life changing

wonderful teacher. this is my life now. I can't go back and I don't want to.

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