Pema Chödrön

American philosopher · United States · On the map · Academics · Born 1936 · age 90

Pema Chödrön is an American-born Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Chödrön has written several dozen books and audiobooks, and was principal teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. She retired in 2020.

Pema Chödrön is read about 323 times a day, in 12 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 112 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2008“The principle of nowness is very important to any effort to establish an enlightened society.”In their wordsHow to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)Read the whole statement

“But the Buddhist teachings are not only about removing the symptoms of suffering, they’re about actually removing the cause, or the root, of suffering.”In their wordsHow to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)Read the whole statement

“We can't control what's going to happen but we can grow in awareness of what is happening.”In their wordsHow to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)Read the whole statement

“The experience of a sad and tender heart is what gives birth to fearlessness.”In their wordsHow to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)Read the whole statement

“This is a standard meditation instruction that you can embody in the entirety of your life: do not act out and do not repress.”In their wordsHow to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)Read the whole statement

1997“We all need to be reminded and encouraged to relax with whatever arises and bring whatever we encounter to the path.”In their wordsWhen Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (1997)Read the whole statement

1936Born14 July 1936

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Stupa of Enlightenment at Chodron's Gampo Abbey

Pema Chödrön giving a talk from her book No Time to Lose, 2005

In their own words 4

Pema Chödrön

4 statements, newest first

The natural quality of mind is clear, awake, alert, and knowing. Free from fixation. By training in being present, we come to know the nature of our mind.
2008 · How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008), Own words
Meditation is just gently coming back again and again to what's right here.
2008 · How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008), Own words
But there is that feeling. And there’s always another challenge, and that keeps us humble. Life knocks you off your pedestal.
2008 · How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008), Own words