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 Chodron leading retreatants in chanting.
Dealing with Grief

Dealing with grief

Exploring the causes of grief and how to work through the grieving process.

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Altar set up for Medicine Buddha puja.
Dealing with Grief

When our spiritual mentors pass away

A exchange with an old friend about experiencing the deaths of spiritual teachers.

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Abbey monastics chanting during a Medicine Buddha puja.
Dealing with Grief

Losing a dear one who was young

A letter from a student questioning the reason for the loss of her younger sister.

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Beautiful golden face of a Buddha.
Bodhisattva Path

Preparing the mind for tonglen

The importance of meditating on equanimity and the kindness of others before doing the taking…

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Closeup face of a Buddha
Buddhist Meditation 101

Stilling the critical mind

A guided meditation on the breath to cultivate a sense of contentment with the present…

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Person meditating outside with dog in background.
Buddhist Meditation 101

Breathing meditation

An explanation of how to do stabilizing meditation focused on the breath.

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Volunteers distributing bottles of water from the back of a pickup truck.
Responding to Prejudice

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina

Advice to two Dharma students on extending compassion to those directly suffering and those distressed…

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Venerables Chodron and Chonyi standing with a group of other bhikshunis.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Monastic life and mind

Being drawn to Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching, path to truth.

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Monk reading a Tibetan pecha.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Attributes of a monastic life

Spending time on Dharma versus entertainment. Community life as one's mirror.

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Lay person giving alms to monk.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Letting go of “me,” “I,” and...

We value good karma more than money and possessions. Accumulating mental and emotional wealth.

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