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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Sand mandala.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

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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Thai monk sitting outside next to alms bowl, meditating.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Sexuality and celibacy

The precept of celibacy and the repercussions of unwise sexual behavior.

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Maroon robes.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Origin of the Mahayana sutras

There are records of Buddhist teachings in oral and written form through time. Were they…

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Maroon robes.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

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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Venerable Damcho and visiting nuns, cooking.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Living in monastic community

Respecting others' spiritual practice and spiritual yearning. Trusting the wisdom of the group.

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Nun studying.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Monastic precepts

Classification of vows for fully ordained monastics and disciplinary measures.

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Young Tibetan nun, smiling.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Evolution of the monastic community

The sangha from Buddha's time to the present day, from wandering mendicants to community.

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Lay people kneeling, taking precepts.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

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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Painting of Siddhartha and disciple.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

The Buddha’s life

Apply the lessons we learn from the Buddha's life. How he lived is a teaching…

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Geshe Kelsang Damdul, smiling.
Engaged Buddhism

Compassion and world peace

Translating compassion into social action for the benefit of ourselves, our communities and the world.

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Thangka image of Vajrasattva.
Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva sadhana

The Vajrasattva sadhana for purification.

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