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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.

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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A black and white photo of a house with the word Karma on the window.
Essence of Refined Gold

Continuation of the discussion of karma

A tragic event near the Abbey introduces understanding how what happens in daily life affects…

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Venerable Tenzin Sangmo (hands folded together), the Dutch nun who founded and runs Thösamling, and Venerable Lhundup Damchö, to her left, are among those listening intently to Venerable Chödron’s Dharma talk.
Full Ordination for Nuns

The birth of Sakyadhita

Reminiscing about the pioneering conference that brought together female Buddhist practitioners from around the world.

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Geshe Kelsang Damdul, smiling.
Engaged Buddhism

Compassion and world peace

Translating compassion into social action for the benefit of ourselves, our communities and the world.

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A man mediating in a park, surrounded by trees and leaves.
Working with Emotions

Making friends with ourselves

Discovering our Buddha potential by investigating the source of lasting happiness and cultivating the heart…

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A man standing a very dim prison, using his hands to grasp the window grills, looking outside the window.
Prison Dharma

A new way to see it

A person in prison finds strength in non-violence.

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A prison inmate looks through the window of a cell and the other inmate squatting in a corner, his hands covering his head.
Prison Dharma

Seeking liberation while in prison

Lama Zopa Rinpoche comments on the karmic connection those who work with incarcerated people must…

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A student at a state police graduation.
By Prison Volunteers

Scholarship from death row prisoners

A story of incarcerated people on death row who provide scholarships to family members of…

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Venerable Chodron standing with inmates at SCCC prison in Licking, Missouri.
Prison Dharma

Compassion for perpetrators

A compassionate response to the difficulties both caused and experienced by L. B., an incarcerated…

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Prison Dharma

Fill yourself with good qualities

Ever feel like a prisoner? During a meditation for people who work with incarcerated people,…

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Old prison cells in dim light.
Prison Dharma

The value of prison work

The far-reaching benefits of sharing Dharma with those in prison.

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