Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.

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Cover of book Open Heart, Clearn Mind.
Open Heart, Clear Mind

Meditation and the Buddhist approach

Talks focusing on the practical application of Buddhist psychology for understanding ourselves and improving the…

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The words: Determination above a big screen, screen showing a woman doing a long jump.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Renunciation and joyous effort

The importance of nourishing a strong determination, armor-like joyous perseverance, and the bodhisattva's view of…

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The words: A laugh flows from a joyous heart, written on a blackboard.
The Six Perfections

Practicing joyous effort

The three types of joyous effort, as well as the three kinds of laziness that…

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A man sitting on a giant book, both hands on his head and looking down on the floor, appearing to be in agony.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Renounce suffering, practice joyfully

Comments on a section of the Lamrim chenmo by Lama Tsongkhapa. Explains the types and…

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Group photo of monastics.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monastic health

Monastics practicing in the West discusses health, including how it influences practice, how it relates…

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Black and white image of tombstones in a cemetery.
Essence of Refined Gold

Death and Dharma practice

Continuation of at talk on contemplating death, followed by advice on Dharma practice.

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Pink roses in the process of disintegrating.
Essence of Refined Gold

Contemplating death

The benefit of contemplating our death, the disadvantages of not contemplating our death, and a…

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Sonam Gyatso the Third Dalai Lama
Essence of Refined Gold

Three levels of Dharma practitioners

An explanation of why those of higher capacity also do the practices in common with…

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Sonam Gyatso the Third Dalai Lama
Essence of Refined Gold

The eight worldly concerns

An explanation of how the eight worldly concerns affect our lives and the three levels…

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Vens. Jampa Tsedroen, Tenzin Palmo, and Thubten Chodron meet with some Tibetan nuns
Full Ordination for Nuns

For the enlightenment of all

An article in Bangkok Post on Bhikkhuni Jampa Tsedroen and her dedication to seeking equality…

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Guest at the Abbey, turning prayer wheels.
Contentment and Happiness

Making decisions for long term benefit

How to find true long term happiness by acting ethically and benefiting others.

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Guest at the Abbey, turning prayer wheels.
Contentment and Happiness

Purifying our wrong actions

Explanation of generating regret for our past actions and making a determination not to repeat…

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