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.

Read Full Bio

View Posts

Burmese nuns walking in formation.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Simplicity

Considering desired long-term results and what actions to perform now to attain them. The qualities…

View Post
Ven. Chogkyi listening to Ven. Chodron give a Dharma talk.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Essentials of monastic life

The heart of ordination is to guide our mind away from negative actions and to…

View Post
Stone sculpture of monk meditating near Chaityas.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Development of the sangha

Relating our ways of being in the world to our state of mind and how…

View Post
Sangha walking down a country road.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Historical evolution of the sangha

Dharma practice means being a balanced human being with self acceptance and ease, not being…

View Post
Thai practitioner kneeling with palms together.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Importance of precepts

Keeping precepts protects us from negative actions and spurs us to develop wisdom rather than…

View Post
Painting of the Buddha's first sermon and five disciples.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Precepts and their background

Benefits of taking precepts, seeing the teacher as the Buddha, and etiquette between lay practitioners,…

View Post
Gold calligraphy 'Great Wisdom Sutra Handscroll - Frontspiece detail - the Buddha's First Sermon.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

History of the sangha

The purpose of living in community. The evolution of the sangha and the establishment of…

View Post
Bowing while taking precepts.
Exploring Monastic Life 2005

Monastic life

Taking ordination is easy, keeping it is hard. It is being intent on virtue.

View Post
A prison inmate looks through the window of a cell and the other inmate squatting in a corner, his hands covering his head.
Prison Dharma

Seeking liberation while in prison

Lama Zopa Rinpoche comments on the karmic connection those who work with incarcerated people must…

View Post