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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Essence of Refined Gold

Developing insight into emptiness

The steps for developing insight into emptiness, and the difference between conceptual mind and non-conceptual…

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Purple flowers blossom in a bunch.
Short Verses to Cultivate Bodhicitta

41 Prayers to Cultivate Bodhicitta

A Mahayana prayer for daily life from the Flower Ornament Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra).

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Sunrise at Borobudur, the back view of the Buddha and stupas.
Essence of Refined Gold

The emptiness of inherent existence

How realizing emptiness helps to relax our mind, reduce attachment, and release anger and confusion.…

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Cover of book Open Heart, Clearn Mind.
Open Heart, Clear Mind

Developing a kind heart

The importance of developing loving kindness, an open-hearted care for others.

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Sunrise at Borobudur, the back view of the Buddha and stupas.
Essence of Refined Gold

Reflecting on the empty nature of phenomena

The benefits of listening to teachings on emptiness, and an discussion of emptiness according to…

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Sculpture of a handgun with barrel tied in a knot.
Interfaith Dialogue

Buddhist wisdom on violence and reconciliation

How we think suffering comes from outside and how we can rethink and transform our…

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Sunrise at Borobudur, the back view of the Buddha and stupas.
Essence of Refined Gold

Wisdom that knows the ultimate nature

Engaging in the wisdom that has the compassion, the ability, and the skill to be…

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Group photo of sangha with Khensur Jampa Tegchog.
Teachings by Khensur Jampa Tegchok

Understanding emptiness: Part 3

Question-and-answer session covering different types of wisdom, how wisdom overcomes ignorance, the nihilist's view, and…

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