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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A man in black walking toward bright light.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

The middle way view

Examining emptiness and the misconception of the self existent, permanent self; the relationship of the…

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A man in black walking toward bright light.
Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Ultimate and conventional existence

The ultimate nature of emptiness within the three aspects of the path, discussion of ultimate…

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Small Buddha statue next to a candle.
Helping the Dying and Deceased

Preparing for a loved one’s death

Using the teachings to prepare the loved one for death and to prepare the family…

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Tenenaged girl, smiling.
For Young People

A letter to Venerable Chodron

A teenager shares her thoughts about Buddhism.

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

Practicing rejoicing

What we get jealous about, what we do when we get jealous, and how to…

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

Meditating on the four immeasurables

Developing love for all sentient beings, cultivating gratitude, and a discussion about karma.

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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