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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Like Gold in Filth

“Like gold in filth” is cause for rejoicing! Our gold-like buddha essence is not mixed with the filth of the three poisons though for now, the obscurations prevent us from seeing our full capabilities. Watch as Venerable Chodron continues to inspire our practice with the nine similes for buddha nature, the great potential in all of us.

When we’re actively mad, actively lazy, actively jealous... we don’t even consider the buddha essence that has always been there.”
It’s like somebody dropped some gold in a pile of filthy refuse at the side of the road and we don't know to take it out, clean it, and use it.”
The emptiness of the mind can’t be infiltrated by the afflictions but can’t shine either when obscured by the troublesome manifest afflictions.”

Featured Teachings

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

Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

What obscures our buddha nature

Explaining the remaining five similes, from the section, "Nine Similes…

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Cover of Buddhism for Beginners. Buddhism for Beginners

The functioning of cause and effect

A discussion on karma, what it is and what it…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2016

The benefits of establishing precepts

The reasons that the Buddha cited for establishing monastic precepts,…

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Two nuns meditating. Antidotes to Afflictions

Meditation on working with anger

A guided meditation to reflect on the causes of anger…

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Middle Way Philosophy

Discussion: Emptiness, ethical conduct, and mindfulness

Geshe Dadul Namgyal responds to questions on self- and other-emptiness,…

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Latest Posts

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

Stages of the Path

Three types of persons

Explaining the three levels of practitioners and the reasons for…

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Upcoming Live Teachings

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

Books

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

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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Book cover of Courageous Compassion

Courageous Compassion

The 6th book in the multi-volume collection and the 2nd devoted to compassion. Courageous Compass...

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Book cover of Appearing and Empty

Appearing and Empty

In this third and final volume on emptiness, the authors impart the Prasangika view of the ultima...

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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 Working with Anger

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 Gavin Discovers the Secret

Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness

A book enjoyable and beneficial for all ages, Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness has much to...

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Book cover of Refuge Resource Book

Refuge Resource Book

A collection of articles compiled by Venerable Thubten Chodron as a resource for preparing to tak...

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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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