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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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Young man sitting on window sill, staring out window.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The disadvantages of self-centeredness

The self-centered mind is one of the chief obstacles to our attaining liberation and enlightenment.

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Young woman meditating.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Equalizing self and others

The second method of generating bodhicitta, called equalizing and exchanging self and others, is discussed.

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A copper-plate picture of a sitting Buddha.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The great resolve and bodhicitta

The decision we make in our Dharma practice to benefit all sentient beings is a…

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Venerable Chodron giving mani pills to a retreatant.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Great compassion

Just as love is the thought that we want all beings to have happiness, so…

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Venerable Jampa, smiling and talking to retreatants during group discussion.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Heart-warming love

It is possible to see all beings, whether they are friends, enemies, or strangers, as…

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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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