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

The advantages of bodhicitta

Why should we pursue the Buddhist ideal of being of benefit to all living beings?…

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The back view of a golden statute of the young shakyamuni Buddha, pointing in the sky.
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Understanding refuge

Exploring the meaning and benefits of taking refuge in the Three Jewels and how to…

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Anger dial on a console.
Healing Anger

Anger

Explaining how anger arises and is deceptive, the difference between anger and the behavior, having…

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Joined hands of two people.
Bodhisattva Path

Equanimity

Developing equanimity opens the heart equally to all, offering genuine respect for all beings.

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Ven. Chodron removes the last bit of Katya'shair.
For Young People

Look, Mommy, that lady has no hair!

The symbolism of shaving the head.

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Venerable Thubten Chodron bowing forward and smiling happily.
A Nun's Life

Inspiration to ordain

Venerable Chodron was interviewed by Mahabodhi Society of USA about the benefits of monastic life…

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A blue and red peace sign painted on a rock.
Transforming War and Terrorism

Responding to war with peace

How to work with disturbing emotions that arise in response to a contemporary war.

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