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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Buddha statue on a pedestal outdoors with a small ceramic white dove in front of him.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Precious human life

Having a precious human life, how the three poisonous attitudes affect us, importance of spiritual…

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Buddha statue on a pedestal outdoors with a small ceramic white dove in front of him.
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Wisdom fear of samsara

A teaching on the reality of cyclic existence and possibility for liberation. Reflecting on our…

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Venerable Chodron standing with inmates at SCCC prison in Licking, Missouri.
Prison Dharma

Compassion for perpetrators

A compassionate response to the difficulties both caused and experienced by L. B., an incarcerated…

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A very unique roadside museum-The Museum of Everyday Life, housed in an old cow barn.
Wisdom

Emptiness in everyday life

Looking at everyday phenomena in terms of emptiness and dependent arising and how changing how…

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Statue of a bronze Buddha.
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Refuge and bodhicitta

The three principal causes for taking refuge—a sense of caution, a sense of confidence, and…

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Venerable Heng-Ching Shih, Venerable Lekshe Tsomo and Venerable Jampa Tsedroen doing research together with a laptop.
Qualities of a Spiritual Teacher

Relating to a spiritual teacher

Cultivating relationships with spiritual teachers and the many ways we misunderstand what it means to…

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A standing monk statute.
Karma and Your Life

Realizing our potential

Realizing our full potential by recognizing others' great kindness and purifying the mind of the…

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Prison Dharma

Fill yourself with good qualities

Ever feel like a prisoner? During a meditation for people who work with incarcerated people,…

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Venerable Chodron standing in front of "the temple".
Interfaith Dialogue

Jewish roots, Buddhist blossoms

The experience of growing up in a Jewish family in Southern California and realizing spiritual…

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Closeup of Venerable Chodron teaching.
Speaking Wisely and Kindly

Hurtful words, healing words

Being mindful of our speech so as to prevent ourselves from harming others.

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A heart with dirt on it
Healing Anger

Anger poisons our happiness

Transforming anger by changing the behavior patterns of attachment, hostility, and loneliness.

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