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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Monk meditating.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The “Brahmajala Sutta” and monastic prec...

Right behavior is a foundation to develop wisdom and great compassion. A description of three…

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Monastic walking down path toward bright sun.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The purpose of developing concentration

The importance of remembering the Buddha's qualities, observing ethical conduct, and not taking the teachings…

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Seven-point Mind Training

Giving our virtue

How training the mind to become familiar with giving increases our generosity and the importance…

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Woman getting a massage.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

Samsaric pleasures and developing concentration

Seeking pleasant feelings and avoiding pain are due to ignorance of the nature of self…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The Greater Discourse on the “Lion’s Roar Sutt...

Don't waste your time practicing ascetiscism, but do develop the fortitude to practice. Making the…

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Thangka image of the Buddha.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The Buddha’s enlightenment

Learning from Buddha's example to seek the truth with no compromise and practice diligently, as…

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Group of smiling Abbey monastics.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The benefits of community life

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the happiness of this life: it is attachment to…

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Silhouette of monastic standing on beach.
Exploring Monastic Life 2009

The noble search

A realistic view of monastic life; commentaries on sutras. How taking vows, engaging in ethical…

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Seven-point Mind Training

Giving to others

Transforming our bodies into what helps others progress on the path and how to meditate…

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Stages of the Path in the Guru Puja

Unfortunate rebirths

How Buddhist teachings on lower realms differ from theistic religions, and the importance of creating…

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Stages of the Path in the Guru Puja

Death and refuge

How contemplating death and impermanence can lead us to taking refuge in the Three Jewels.

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