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

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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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Nirvana

Continuing teaching from Chapter 11, describing the nature and characteristics of nirvana.

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Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Attachment hinders our concentration

Commentary to verses 23 - 28, which describe attachment as a hindrance, and dwelling in…

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Gold and blue drawing of Chandrakirti.
Illumination of the Thought

Homage to Compassion

Chandrakirti praises compassion as the source of bodhicitta.

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Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

The two obscurations

Continuing teaching from Chapter 11, covering afflictive obscurations and cognitive obscurations.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2022

Living in novice precepts

An explanation of various aspects of monastic life and detailed practical advice.

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Western Monastics

Western Buddhist nuns in the Tibetan tradition

Venerable Chodron explores the history of Buddhist nuns in the West through her own experiences,…

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