Thubten Chodron

Ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun in 1977, Venerable Thubten Chodron is an author, teacher, and the founder and abbess of Sravasti Abbey. Sravasti Abbey is the only Tibetan Buddhist training monastery for Westerners in the US and holds gender equality, social engagement, and care for the environment amongst its core values. Ven. Chodron teaches worldwide and is known for her practical (and humorous!) explanations of how to apply Buddhist teachings in daily life. She is also actively involved in prison outreach and interfaith dialogue. She has published many books on Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and has coauthored a book—Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions—with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with whom she has studied for nearly forty years.

"This book helps to overcome misconceptions, showing how to find peace and contentment through a practical application of the teachings of the compassionate Buddha." —H. H. the Dalai Lama

"Venerable Thubten Chodron is someone whose life embodies the virtues of kindness, simplicity, and a clarity of vision, which lie at the heart of the Buddha's teaching. It is these perennial qualities that shine through her writings and touch the hearts of readers all over the world." —Thupten Jinpa, translator for H. H. the Dalai Lama

"A highly useful manual to start one's journey on the path of Dharma." —Tibet Journal

"Thubten Chodron explains in clear, down-to-earth language the essence of Buddhist philosophy and psychology, giving us practical tools to implement immediately in our daily lives. The 'How to Have Good Relationships with Others' section grew from requests made by young Westerners being taught meditation by this exemplary teacher. . . . A must-have book you can give to your family members or friends who haven't a clue about Buddhism." —Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal

"Chodron, an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, here offers her second introduction to Buddhism for Western audiences, but unlike Buddhism for Beginners, this book has a practical bent showing readers how to carry out the practices of Buddhism in daily life. Sections include fine and concise overviews of the history of Buddhist traditions and an overview of Buddhism today. Best of all perhaps for the curious reader is a section called 'Taming Bad Habits,' which contains advice on how not to complain, speak of the faults of others, live in the past, or take part in any of the world's other transitory pleasures. Highly recommended." —Library Journal

"Offers useful advice . . . using simple language in Western concepts. . . . This book will delight the author's many admirers." —The Middle Way, journal of the Buddhist Society