Born in 1950, Thubten Chodron grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After travelling through Europe, North Africa and Asia, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.
In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Ven. Lama Yeshe and Ven. 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, received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.
She studied and practiced Buddhism of the Tibetan tradition for many years in India and Nepal under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, Zopa Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters for many years. Ven. Chodron currently travels worldwide to teach the Dharma. She founded Sravasti Abbey in Washington State and is currently involved in developing it. She also works with prison inmates and hosts an ongoing collection of their writings on her ‘Prison Dharma’ webpage.
Ven. 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.
Personal website:
thubtenchodron.org
Other websites:
http://www.monasticdialog.com/a.php?id=420
Publications:
Open heart, clear mind
Buddhism for beginners
Taming the Mind
How to Free Your Mind: Tara the Liberator
Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage
Working with anger (by Snowlion)
Transforming problems
Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path
Guided meditations on the Lamrim
Pearl of wisdom (book I)
Pearl of wisdom (book II)
A chat about Heruka
A chat about Yamantaka
Heruka body mandala
The yoga method of Chenrezig: sadhana and commentary
Cultivating a Compassionate Heart: The Yoga Method of Chenrezig
Preparing for ordination
Choosing simplicity
