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Venerable Thubten Chodron

Pioneering American Buddhist teacher and founder of Sravasti Abbey, currently assisting His Holiness the Dalai Lama with The Library of Wisdom and Compassion book series.

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Young person behind a prison fence.

How Compassion Changes Us

We may be experiencing divisiveness, frustration, anger, and anxiety, especially as elections are nearing. Can compassion change this? Change us?

In this Sharing the Dharma Day talk Venerable Chodron shows us how stories from inmates about their practice of compassion can be a valuable teaching for all of us. Join us online or in-person for upcoming Sharing the Dharma Day events. The next on is Saturday, October 13th.

When our heart opens to others, we see that they want happiness and to avoid suffering as much as we do.”
Then that compassion changes us with a perspective of ‘These are living beings exactly like me.’ ”
And when they suffer I want their suffering removed just as I want my own suffering to cease.”

Featured Teachings

Check out highlights from Venerable Thubten Chodron's extensive teaching archive.

Venerable Samten with eyes closed while two nuns shave her head. Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Renunciation

We are stuck in cyclic existence. Through the teachings, we…

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Close-up of golden Buddha's face. Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The benefits and causes of bodhicitta

How bodhicitta, our true friend and refuge, makes our lives…

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Statue of Lama Tsongkhapa and altar. Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Cultivating the correct view

The importance of meditating on emptiness. How ignorance leads to…

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Short Verses to Cultivate Bodhicitta

Verse 14-3: Three higher trainings

Gradual progression of subduing of the afflictions and the counteracting…

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Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Living compassion

A discussion about the impact of anger, how one relates…

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Four-armed Chenrezig Retreat with Ven. Sangye Khadro (2023)

Introduction to Chenrezig

An introduction to Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, and begins…

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Latest Posts

Keep up with recent teachings by Venerable Thubten Chodron and other Sravasti Abbey monastics.

Prison Dharma

Harmonizing criminal defendants’ imbalanced si...

An interview with a defense lawyer about Buddhism and inmates.

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Stages of the Path

The sufferings of the three upper realms

How suffering manifests in the upper realms of rebirth.

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Stages of the Path

The five appropriated aggregates are suffering

Examining suffering to develop disenchantment with samsara.

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White flowers and green leaves amongst rocks. By Prison Volunteers

Worthwhile people

In the Beginning Buddhism class in Spokane, Abbey monastics are…

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Stages of the Path

The eight types of suffering

The fine points of the first seven types of suffering.

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An Open-Hearted Life

Bringing compassion into every moment

Practical ways to bring compassion into everyday life.

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Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Meditation on how compassion changes us

Guided contemplation on how compassion has changed our life and…

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Stages of the Path

Why the truth of suffering is taught first

The importance of contemplating the truth of suffering.

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Volume 4 Following in the Buddha's Footsteps

Formally taking refuge

Explaining the section on formally taking refuge, and covering how…

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Upcoming Live Teachings

Follow Venerable Thubten Chodron's teachings at Sravasti Abbey, online, and worldwide.

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Books

Learn more about Buddhist books written and edited by Venerable Thubten Chodron.

Book cover of "Vajrayana and the Culmination of the Path"

Vajrayana and the Culmination of the Path

The final volume of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Vener...

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Book cover of Guided Buddhist Meditations

Guided Buddhist Meditations

This invaluable resource provides Dharma practitioners with clear explanations of the stages of t...

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Book cover of In Praise of Great Compassion

In Praise of Great Compassion

Volume 5 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion takes us beyond our present situation and guides...

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Cover of Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions

Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions

This unique text maps out the convergence and divergence of the two major Buddhist movements—the ...

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Working with Anger

A variety of Buddhist methods for subduing anger, not by changing what is happening, but by worki...

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Cover of 365 Gems of Wisdom

365 Gems of Wisdom

Reflections by Venerable Thubten Chodron and other Sravasti Abbey monastics to guide us in settin...

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Book cover of Buddhism for Beginners

Buddhism for Beginners

An accessible and engaging introduction to some of the most commonly asked questions about the es...

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Book cover of Pearl of Wisdom I

Pearl of Wisdom, Book I

A compilation of prayers and practices commonly taught to people beginning to study and practice ...

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Book cover of the study guide to Approaching the Buddhist Path

Approaching the Buddhist Path: Study Guide

Approaching the Buddhist Path, Volume 1 in The Library of Wisdom and Compassion, introduces us to...

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