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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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Transforming and naturally abiding Buddha nature

Explaining the meaning of naturally abiding buddha nature and transforming buddha nature, from the section…

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Dharma in Daily Life

Overcoming obstacles to practice

What hindrances affect our practice? Examples of these and how to overcome them.

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Arya disposition and Buddha nature

Describing the arya dispositions according to different tenet systems, from the sections "Ārya Disposition according…

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An Open-Hearted Life

Fear of compassion

How it takes time to form trusting relationships with others who have been harmed in…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2023

Confession prayer part 3

The conclusion of a multi-part teaching on the General Confession Prayer.

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

The mind’s potential in the Pali tradition

Starting Chapter 13, "Buddha Nature", covering the potential of the mind from the section, "The…

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A person sitting on top of a moutain, meditating.
Preliminary Practices

Seven-limb Prayer

Purifying and creating positive potential prepare our minds to grow in wisdom and understanding.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2023

Ordination for women across traditions part 2

Q&A about Venerable Chodron's experience as a woman in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition continues.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2023

Ordination for women across traditions part 1

Q&A about Venerable Chodron's experience as a woman in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

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