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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An Open-Hearted Life

Removing partiality

By recognizing our differences are superficial we can overcome our partiality and biases.

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Cultivating Healthy Relationships

Kindness in times of disagreement

Recognizing our interdependence makes it easy to practice kindness in daily life.

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Dealing with Grief

A tribute to Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lessons from spiritual teachers and advice to students after a spiritual mentor’s passing.

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Enacting others’ welfare

Commentary on Shantideva's verses that explain how to exchange self and others.

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Dronsel and a monastic smiling with arms out, in a snowy meadow.
Dharma Poetry

Reflections after doing retreat on the four establis...

Poems inspired by teachings on the four establishments of mindfulness.

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Cultivating Compassion

Introduction to the taking and giving meditation

Overcoming self-centredness, a major obstacle to doing the taking and giving meditation.

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