social engagement

Teachings on how to respond to contemporary social issues with a compassionate motivation and wisdom.

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View all posts in Venerable Thubten Chodron's teaching archive.

Hands holding a patch of green grass and the earth, surrounded by butterflies.
Dharma in Action

Transforming to a global village of harmony and peace

A foreword to the program of a holistic wellness symposium, on how transforming our mind…

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A monk standing on a big rock looking at the sun and the sea.
A Nun's Life

Where is your sky?

An educator discusses how nuns can continue learning throughout their lives.

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Young buddhist nuns chanting.
A Nun's Life

Bhikkhuni education today

Buddhist studies for fully ordained nuns in the modern age.

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Man in an elelctric wheelchair.
By Prison Volunteers

A secret Zen master

An incarcerated person recounts a story of tender kindness not likely for a gang member.

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White wordings: Do something good every day, background in red color.
Prison Dharma

Making life meaningful in prison

Sravasti Abbey reaches those in prison by offering teachings on DVD to prison libraries.

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Venerable Chodron and other monastics in the meditation hall during the 2014 Pravarana ceremony.
Western Monastics

The challenge of the future

Does Western Buddhism need a monastic sangha? If so, what should their role be? What…

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Silhouette of a Buddha statue with bright in front of a fire-red sunset.
Dharma in Action

How to live in modern times

A Buddhist perspective on contemporary issues ranging from fundamentalism to the environment.

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Monastics standing together.
Western Monastics

The importance of Buddhist monasticism in the West

The role of Buddhist monastics, monastic centers, how Western monasticism differs from Eastern monasticism, and…

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Ven. Semkye tending to a berry bush.
Harmony with the Environment

Good practices: Ancient and emerging

How monastic communities are incorporating green practices into their daily living.

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HH Dalai Lama placing a khata over Venerable Thubten Chodron.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Dark matter

Examining the complexity of the issue of bhikkhuni ordination: different views and lineages of the…

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A tibetan nun praying.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Principles to be respected

A comprehensive essay on the eight garudhammas, the rules concerning bhikkhunis' conduct in their social…

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A man standing inside a very bright circle of light.
Dharma in Daily Life

Living a balanced life and making wise choices

Practical advice on how to live a balanced life and make wise, beneficial decisions.

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