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

The object of negation

The importance of correctly identifying the object of negation to refute inherent existence.

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Essence of Refined Gold

Respecting the views of others

Respecting the views and ideas of others as part of the Buddhist path.

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Essence of Refined Gold

Realizing things as they are

If you are looking for an elephant, you need to know what an elephant looks…

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Image of Vajrasattva
Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva meditation and recitation

An explanation by Lati Rinpoche of the purification practice of the Vajrasattva sadhana, including the…

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Venerable receiving an offering after a teaching at Maitripa.
Monastic Life

Right livelihood for the sangha in the 21st century

How the sangha practices the Dharma will have a deep impact on the survival of…

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Statue of Guanyin.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Chinese bhikshuni ordination

Brief history of the Chinese vinaya lineage, bhikshuni ordination and the guidelines for consulting other…

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

Verse 6-2: Consideration for others

Abandoning negativities out of care, affection, consideration, and an awareness of how our actions impact…

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

Verse 6-1: Robes of integrity

Seeing an opportunity for non-virtue but restraining ourselves because of a sense of our own…

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Essence of Refined Gold

The objects of different consciousnesses

Appearing objects, observed objects, apprehended objects, and referent objects.

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

Verse 5-2: Creating the causes

The importance of cultivating the two sides of the path, method and wisdom, just as…

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