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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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Zen alarm clock.
The Importance of Motivation

Three thoughts to generate on waking up

Generating the bodhicitta motivation to lead our mind in a virtuous direction

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A sad girl with the word: But don't look back in anger
Healing Anger

Questions and answers on anger

How to change your habituation towards angry reactions.

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Venerable Chodron shares the story of the prayer wheel with the children at UU.
For Young People

A Buddhist nun in high school

Questions and answers from students about Buddhism and monastic life.

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Sidewalk chalk drawing of a heart and the words 'All you need is love.'
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The benefits of love

Developing love in our minds brings benefits, as outlined in Nagarjuna's book The Precious Garland,…

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Image from Ascent Magazine – of Brother Wayne Teasdale, Venerable Chodron and Swami Radhananda.
Interfaith Dialogue

Determined to be free

A Buddhist nun, a sanyasi columnist and an urban mystic have an inspiring talk about…

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Boys at the morning prayer in a monastic school in Myanmar.
New to Buddhism

Advice for newcomers to the Dharma

Tips on how to act in Dharma centers. Figuring out what to study and practice.…

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A group of nuns from the 2003 Nuns in the West program.
Interfaith Dialogue

Report on “Nuns in the West I”

Dialogue of spiritual themes with Catholic sisters and Buddhist nuns.

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Venerable Chonyi meditating outside.
Meditation

Questions and answers on meditation

Answers to all the questions you have ever had about how to meditate.

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Baby's foot in a mother's hand.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Seeing the kindness of our mothers

We can develop gratitude by meditating on the kindness of our parents.

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Three Principal Aspects of the Path

All beings have been our mother

When we can relate to all beings as having once been our mother, our attitude…

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Hundreds of photos of people's faces.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Equanimity: The foundation of bodhicitta

Before we can cultivate love and compassion, we have to be able to get rid…

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Close-up of golden Buddha's face.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The benefits and causes of bodhicitta

How bodhicitta, our true friend and refuge, makes our lives more meaningful.

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