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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Buddhist Worldview

Our precious human life

Understanding the freedom and fortune that we currently have to learn and practice the Dharma.

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Venerable Chodron circumambulating Geshe Jampa Wangdu's stupa at Tushita.
Contentment and Happiness

Inner peace

Overcoming the discontented mind opens the way to greater compassion. How to face our fears…

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2 Tibetan children sitting together, one looking at what the other boy is doing.
For Young People

Advice for Tibetan students

Tibetan students discuss topics such as happiness, difficult times, karma, meditation, God, pride, and many…

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How Rebirth Works

Rebirth: Is it really possible?

Examining one of the key concepts in the Buddhist worldview, which is that we are…

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2 young girls putting their hand on each other shoulder and smiling happily.
For Young People

A Buddhist perspective on friends

Buddhist teachings offer youth helpful tips in dealing with friendships: difficult friends, peer pressure, how…

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Venerable Thubten Chodron teaching in Singapore
Love and Self-esteem

How to love the people you dislike

Transforming the judgmental mind by appreciating the kindness of others.

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Venerable Chodron smiling and holding flowers at Tai Pei Buddhist Centre in Singapore.
Contentment and Happiness

Working with unfulfilled expectations

How we set ourselves up for disappointment through our expectations, and how we can find…

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The word: Punish written on a wall.
Prison Dharma

Working with Buddhists behind bars

Overcoming fear and the judgmental mind to reach sentient beings in prison.

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A black and white photo of a woman walking on rock and the huge waves of the sea.
Karma and Your Life

Karma and your life

The meaning of karma and how to go about creating future happiness by mindfully cultivating…

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The word: Wisdom written on the road
Wisdom

How to develop wisdom

Learning about karma and practicing meditation deepens our understanding of the nature of reality.

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Prison cell window that has light pentrating through, surroundings are in darkness.
Prison Dharma

The Dalai Lama on prison life

His Holiness talks about how to generate compassion for incarcerated people and the need for…

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