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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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Self-confidence

Commentary on verses 47-58. The role of self-confidence in progressing on the path and the…

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Nagarjuna’s analysis of arising

Completing teaching from Chapter 8, explaining Nagarjuna's four-point analysis of arising.

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Steadfastness

Commentary on verses 46-49. How aspiration and steadfastness support and increase each other. Also the…

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Ultimate nature of the twelve links

Continuing the teachings from Chapter 8, covering the section "The Ultimate Nature of the Twelve…

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Like illusions

Teaching from Chapter 8, explaining why phenomena are "like illusions" but are not actually illusions.

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

The four powers that increase joyous effort

Commentary to verses 30-38 of Chapter 7, including the four powers that increase the strength…

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A group of shiksamanas in the Abbey library reading their precepts at the round table.
Living in Community

The benefits of living in community

Venerable Chodron talks with a monastic about what it means to take full ordination.

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Nominally existent self

Continuing the teaching from Chapter 8, using the examples to explain who cycles in samsara.

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