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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Four small Buddha statues.
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The four opponent powers

Purification is the essential practice to establish a base for a good life. There are…

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A nun smiling with palms together.
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Practice virtue, avoid non-virtue

Developing a long-term perspective helps us gain clarity about the results of our actions.

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Carl from the Abbey doing yoga.
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Favorable qualities for Dharma practice

Particular factors are helpful for Dharma study and practice. Some of them are possibly influenceable…

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Red neon sign that says 'Karma'.
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Various ways of describing karma

Differentiating between types of actions, intentions, and consequences and understanding the differences.

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Statue of a Buddha in front of a setting sun.
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Motivation and karma

Looking at karma within the three levels of motivation on the path, and describing karma…

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Chenrezig Hall in front of bright blud sky.
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Environmental results of positive actions

Describing the results of positive karma based on the the intensity of the action, the…

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The word 'Karma' carved in stone.
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Classifications of karma

There are different things that determinate our options, but we have the opportunity to take…

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Woman visiting dogs in a shelter.
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Positive actions and their results

Looking at karma in terms of the positive actions and results, and a discussion of…

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Young monks meditating.
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Meditating on the 10 destructive actions

Instructions for meditation on karma and the ten destructive actions, thinking about the causes of…

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Entrance to hell realm.
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The results of the 10 destructive actions

A look at how karma ripens, the maturation result, results similar to the cause, and…

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The word "Implications" written in yellow against a gray background.
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A broader view of destructive actions

It makes a big difference how we treat ourselves or others and with what motivation…

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The word "Mind" painted on a wall.
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Three destructive actions of mind

Of the ten destructive actions, the three mental actions are the motivator for all the…

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