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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 teaching in front of a large crowd at Nalanda Buddhist Centre.
Don't Believe Everything You Think

Heart advice for dealing with difficulties

How to apply the mind training teachings in a practical way to transform adverse circumstances…

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How Rebirth Works

Mind and rebirth

Using reasoning to establish confidence in the continuity of the mind and rebirth. How to…

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Venerable surrounded by students from SEGi College.
Contentment and Happiness

Happiness within ourselves

How the mind is the main source of happiness not external situations. Transforming one's perspective…

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Venerable Chodron gives out mani pills to a couple at Buddhist Gem Fellowship.
Buddhist Worldview

Letting go of the eight worldly concerns

When there is freedom from the eight worldly concerns there is room to create virtue…

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Venerable Chodron gives out mani pills to a couple at Buddhist Gem Fellowship.
Buddhist Worldview

The value and purpose of a precious human life

The purpose of Dharma practice is to bring a sense of internal peace, well being…

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Venerable Chodron gives out mani pills to a couple at Buddhist Gem Fellowship.
Buddhist Worldview

Creating the causes for a precious human life

How meditation on the value of a precious human life generates great enthusiasm for Dharma…

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Venerable Chodron gives out mani pills to a couple at Buddhist Gem Fellowship.
Buddhist Worldview

The importance of reflecting on a precious human life

Developing self-confidence and appreciating our potential are the chief purposes of contemplating our precious human…

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Ven. Chodron teaching with Ven. Damcho translating.
Western Monastics

Tibetan Buddhism east and west

A personal account of how westerners met Tibetan Buddhist teachers, studied and practiced the Dharma…

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Women with arms around each other in support.
Dharma Poetry

The meaning of heart

A student reflects on the meaning of our heart connection to one another.

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Buddha statue at a temple in Taiwan.
Bodhisattva Path

Equanimity and bodhicitta

Equanimity for all beings is the foundation upon which bodhicitta is developed. How the bodhicitta…

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A group of people in discussion
Refuge in the Three Jewels

Refuge and precept discussion questions

Topics for discussion regarding taking refuge in the Three Jewels and the five lay precepts.

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Beautiful lotus in the warm light of dawn.
Refuge in the Three Jewels

“Five Faultless Gifts” and “Five B...

The benefits of the five precepts according to the Buddhist scriptures.

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