Venerable Thubten Chodron
Spiritual Adviser

Current Teaching and Travel Schedule

Venerable Thubten Chodron currently serves as DFF's Spiritual Adviser. She has been DFF's principal teacher since 1992 and served as our Spiritual Director for over a decade. Venerable Chodron ordained as a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in 1977, receiving full bhikshuni ordination in 1986. She is a close disciple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and other Tibetan masters.

in 2002, Venerable Chodron began work on her dream of establishing a monastic training center. Sravasti Abbey is located in Newport, Washington, about one hour north of Spokane, near the Idaho border. We are extremely grateful for the precious Dharma teachings that she continues to share with the DFF community, tirelessly guiding our organization in uncountable ways, serving as a model and source of inspiration of what dedicated Dharma practice can achieve. Read Venerable's essay in the DFF newsletter.

In December 2001, DFF member Marsha Rule interviewed Venerable Chodron about her move to Sravasti Abbey. Read interview.

Venerable Chodron will continue to be DFF's spiritual advisor, giving advice when requested. Read the letter from the Board.

Visit www.ThubtenChodron.org
and Sravasti Abbey

Photo: Phil Borges

Venerable Thubten Chodron was born in 1950 and grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a BA in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After traveling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one-and-one-half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do postgraduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System. In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Venerable Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teachings. In 1977, she received the sramanerika (novice) ordination, and in 1986, went to Taiwan to take the bhikshuni (full) ordination.

She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal, and directed the spiritual program at Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Italy for nearly two years. She studied three years at Dorje Pamo Monastery in France and was resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore.

Venerable Chodron teaches worldwide and is the author of several books, including Open Heart, Clear Mind; Buddhism for Beginners; Taming the Mind; Working with Anger; and Tara: A Guiding Star. She also recorded a series entitled Guided Meditations on the Lamrim: The Gradual Path to Enlightenment. Ven. Chodron is founder of Sravasti Abbey, a monastery located in Newport, Washington. She 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.

Publications

Suggested Readings

Travel Notes and Essays

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