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.

View Posts

Four nuns with four Sravasti Abbey cats named after the four immeasurables.
Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Love and contentment

What it means to be happy, practicing contentment, and practicing generosity with wisdom.

View Post
Four nuns with four Sravasti Abbey cats named after the four immeasurables.
Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Equanimity and forgiveness

Practicing equanimity with those we dislike, cultivating kindness in everyday life, and what it means…

View Post
Four nuns with four Sravasti Abbey cats named after the four immeasurables.
Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Introducing the four immeasurables

The meaning of immeasurable equanimity and love and the significance of the word "all" when…

View Post
Venerable Thubten Chodron standing with a group of students from Nanyang Technological University Buddhist Society in Singapore.
Love and Self-esteem

The love that empowers your life

An attitude of loving-kindness enriches our daily life in all kinds of circumstances, helps us…

View Post
Venerable Chodron giving a Dharma talk.
Love and Self-esteem

Loving oneself and others

How Dharma practice can help us to become friends with ourselves, and lead ethical lives…

View Post
Buddha and flowers in orange color.
New to Buddhism

Why Buddhism?

Buddha's teachings attract people who are looking for a spiritual practice that creates inner peace…

View Post
Venerable Chodron, smiling.
Fear, Anxiety, and Other Emotions

Living without fear

Identifying and managing fear and anxiety can liberate us to generate greater compassion towards others.

View Post
Monkey swinging from branch to branch.
Mindfulness

Taming the monkey mind

Honest recognition of our thoughts increase the courage to practice the Dharma.

View Post
Young woman meditating outside under a tree.
Cultivating the Four Immeasurables

Taking and giving: instruction and guided meditation

Explanation of the taking and giving meditation for developing love and compassion, followed by a…

View Post
A cartoon drawing of a person in jail clothes(black and white stripes) trap inside bars surrounded by the words:Fear, Anger, Pain, Innocent, Shame and Trust.
Prison Dharma

Prison Dharma

Reflections on visiting incarcerated people to share the Dharma in prisons throughout the United States

View Post
The Dhamek Stupa under clear blue sky with Tibetan prayer flags in front.
On Refuge and Bodhicitta

In the footsteps of the Buddha

An Israeli Buddhist embarks on a walking pilgrimage to to Bodhgaya and discovers the joy…

View Post