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.

Read Full Bio

View Posts

Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

The attributes of the four truths

Beginning the section on the sixteen attributes of the four truths. Also explanation of the…

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

True cessations

An explanation of the four types of cessation spoken of in the Pali tradition.

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

The origin of duhkha

Continuing to teach from Chapter 1, covering "The Nature of Each Truth", explaining pervasive duhkha…

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

True duhkha

Teaching from Chapter 1, covering "The Nature of Each Truth” focusing on true duhkha and…

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

The four truths

Continuing the teaching from Chapter 1, completing the section “Three Questions about the Self” and…

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

Three questions about the self

Teaching from Chapter 1, covering “Is There a Self?” and “Is There a Beginning to…

View Post
Volume 3 Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature

How to study the teachings

Commencing the teaching from "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" the third volume of the Library…

View Post
Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

Joyous effort, concentration & wisdom

Covering Verses 14-18 of Chapter 5 'Guarding Introspection,' discussing the perfections of joyous effort, concentration,…

View Post
Science and Buddhism

Does ethics matter in science and technology?

How the ethics of non-harming apply in the fields of information technology, scientific research, and…

View Post
An Open-Hearted Life

Reaching out with compassion

How extending yourself to another living being pulls you outside yourself and opens the door…

View Post
Volume 2 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice

The path of the initial level practitioner

Teaching the concluding sections, covering "A Deeper Perspective on Causality" and 'The Path of the…

View Post
Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey

The perfection of ethical conduct & fortitude

Covering Verses 11 - 13 of Chapter 5, discussing the perfections of generosity, ethical conduct,…

View Post