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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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Image of Venerable Thubten Chodron and the book cover of Following in the Buddha's Footsteps

The Value of the Monastic Community

Venerable Chodron returns to teaching Following in the Buddha’s Footsteps after concluding the 2024-25 Asia Teaching Tour. Join us live on Fridays at 5 p.m. PST. If you need to catch up on past teachings, you’ll find them archived with the live teaching link.

When people think of monastics living together for the purpose of studying and practicing the Dharma they feel inspired.”

Monasteries also act as physical locations where the public can go when they need spiritual comfort or teachings.”

It is said that ideally the monastery should be rich but the individual monastics living there should be poor.”

Featured Teachings

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

The existence of the Three Jewels

Explaining the reasons for taking refuge, mind's potential and existence…

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Three Jewels of the Vajra vehicle

Finishing the section of Final and Provisional Refuges, and explaining…

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Qualities of Buddha’s body, speech and mind

Explaining the qualities of Buddha's body, speech and mind, and…

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Formally taking refuge

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

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Researching the bhikshuni lineage

Can the bhikshuni ordination be traced back to the time…

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The sixteen aspects of the four truths

How the sixteen aspects of the four truths contradict the…

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Latest Posts

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

Equalizing and exchanging oneself and others

Developing bodhicitta through exchanging self and others.

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Think about it this way

An interview with Venerable Thubten Chodron covering a wide range…

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Facing difficulties with joy and equanimity

We can have joy and equanimity even in the face…

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Living in the modern world with love and compassion,...

Compassion has the aspect of allaying suffering as it's characteristic.

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Living in the modern world with love and compassion,...

Applying the Buddhist teachings on love in our modern life.

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Compassion, extraordinary attitude, & bodhicitta

Steps 5 - 7 of the 7-point cause and effect…

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Repaying kindness & cultivating love

Steps 3 and 4 of the 7-point cause and effect…

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Courageous Compassion

One of the teachings that sparked my interest when I…

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Review of the 18 unshared qualities

Reviewing the eighteen unshared qualities by discussing what actions we’re…

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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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Working with Anger

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

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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 Pearl of Wisdom II

Pearl of Wisdom, Book II

An inspiring resource for students who have already entered into the practice of Tibetan Buddhism...

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Book cover of Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Volume 3 of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion addresses the unsatisfactory nature of samsara, ...

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Book cover of Awaken Every Day

Awaken Every Day

An instant dose of everyday wisdom, these insightful reflections help us understand our minds, ou...

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Book cover of the Study Guide for Open Heart Clear Mind

Open Heart, Clear Mind: Study Guide

A complementary resource to Venerable Chodron’s book, Open Heart, Clear Mind, this study gu...

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