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.
View Posts
Joyous effort and concentration
Qualities for counteracting laziness and developing joyous effort, and techniques to counteract tiredness and distraction…
View PostMid-retreat discussion
Addressing questions on different aspects of the meditation: the body, emptiness, visualization and deity meditation.
View PostAn incentive to engage in virtue
A sudden illness gives a student greater incentive and renewed urgency to practice the Dharma.
View PostTaking joy in our Dharma practice
Having an appreciation for joyous effort and showing interest in overcoming laziness.
View PostUnderstanding Buddhist concepts
Clarifying concepts surrounding arhats and bodhisattvas. Questions on motivation to listen and the meditation on…
View PostLaziness that interferes with practice
How laziness interferes with Dharma practice. What it means to be kind to ourselves and…
View PostApplying the teachings
Discussion: working with the mind, skillful ways of using refuge. Reflection on why we are…
View PostFortitude of practicing the Dharma
Going through physical and mental hardships during our Dharma practice by cultivating patience.
View PostSharing challenges of practice
Questions from retreatants on dealing with distraction and habitual reactions. Working with dreams in a…
View PostFortitude of enduring suffering
Continuing with the explanation of the practice of non-retaliation, and the second type of fortitude…
View PostRetreat questions and discussion
A discussion session on retreat issues such as visualization, counting mantra, and working with hindrances…
View PostRight intention in starting retreat
Getting ready to go into retreat with the right motivation, understanding and expectation.
View Post