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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Venerable Thubten Chodron Keeping ethical conduct
How to face hindrances with a clear and strong mind, what to practice and what…
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“The Fruits of the Homeless Life”
A sutra that describes the benefits of renouncing lay life. The background for the teachings…
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Tantra in practice
History and comparison of Buddhist and non-Buddhist forms of tantra and the uniqueness of the…
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The development of Tantra in Buddhism
The evolution of the various classes of tantra, how culture relates to tantra, and how…
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Sexuality and celibacy
The precept of celibacy and the repercussions of unwise sexual behavior.
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Origin of the Mahayana sutras
There are records of Buddhist teachings in oral and written form through time. Were they…
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The development of the Mahayana tradition
How the various traditions build upon each other. The different ways of seeing the spiritual…
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Development of the traditions
The spread of Buddhism: ideas from Pali tradition to Mahayana tradition.
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Living in monastic community
Respecting others' spiritual practice and spiritual yearning. Trusting the wisdom of the group.
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Monastic precepts
Classification of vows for fully ordained monastics and disciplinary measures.
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Evolution of the monastic community
The sangha from Buddha's time to the present day, from wandering mendicants to community.
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History of the eight Mahayana precepts
We take the precepts to stop gross harm to sentient beings and to reduce distractions…
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