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A second chance for juvenile offenders

A second chance for juvenile offenders

On June 25, 2012, the United States Supreme Court put an end to mandatory life without parole sentences for those under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes, deeming it a “cruel and unusual punishment.’” Venerable Thubten Chodron rejoices in this landmark decision:

  • The benefits that youth in prison can offer to human beings
  • Prevention of violent crime by good education
  • To become a good citizen is always possible after committing a crime

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.