 Venerable Thubten Chodron grew up near Los Angeles, born in 1950. 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 for one and a half year, she received a teaching credential and went to the University 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 Venerable Lama Yeshe and Venerable Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to their monastery in Nepal to continue to study and practice Buddha's teaching. In 1977, she received the 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 Tzong 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 Center in Singapore.
Venerable Chodron was a co - organizer of Life as a Western Buddhist Nun, and took part in the conferences of Western Buddhist teachers with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1993 and 1994. She currently live and teaches in Seattle with Dharma Friendship Foundation and continues to travel worldwide to teach Dharma. Her books include Open Heart, Clear Mind,What Color Is Your Mind? , Taming the Monkey Mind, I Wonder Why, Working with Anger, Glimpse of Reality & Blossoms of the Dharma.
Ven. Chodron's latest project is to set up Sravasti Abbey : a place where monastics and those preparing for ordination can learn and practice according to the teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Sravasti Abbey is now incorporated in the State of Idaho, and with the help of people from Treasure Valley Dharma Friends in Boise and people from Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle, we are looking for land in Idaho. We have found a property in Cascade that has possibilities. I will do a month retreat in Cascade this winter to test out what it’s like to live with lots of snow, as this will impact our decision. Meanwhile, we continue to look in other areas of the state, and if someone offers land elsewhere in the country, we’ll certainly consider it.
Some of the books/articles written by the Venerable available on-line are:
 I Wonder Why
Speaking of the faults of others
Chocolate frosting and garbage
Practicing Buddhism in daily life
Buddhism in modern society
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4ScTJzjusE
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