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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The Six Perfections

Perfection of generosity: Giving fearlessly

Supporting ethical and virtuous conduct with conventional analysis, and generosity of even most precious possessions…

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The Six Perfections

Perfection of generosity: What makes generosity sincere

How to evaluate our intentions for giving and an explanation of different types of generosity…

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

The skeleton in the body

Commentary to verses 41-47 of Shantideva's Chapter 8. Reflecting on the nature of the body…

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A Nun's Life

Sravasti Abbey and social engagement

Part two of an interview with Korea Buddhist Television Network on Sravasti Abbey and Buddhist…

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A Nun's Life

Why I became a Buddhist nun

Part one of an interview with Korea Buddhist Television Network on how Venerable Thubten Chodron…

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Nirvana in the Pali tradition

Continuing teaching from Chapter 11, covering non-abiding nirvana and nirvana as the cessation of duhkha…

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Imagining our death and pacifying distractions

Commentary on verses from Shanitdeva on the benefits of subduing distractions to meditation including attachment…

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Types of nirvana

Continuing teaching from Chapter 11, covering natural nirvana and nirvana with remainder and nirvana without…

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Attachment to body, friends, and family

Commentary on verses by Shantideva covering antidotes for attachment to the body, friends, and relatives.

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An Open-Hearted Life

Spreading compassion

Through compassionate interaction with others we can inspire those around us to behave more compassionately.

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