Pema Chodron is a Western Buddhist nun and one of the most respected and loved teachers of Buddhism in the West today. She was one of Chogyam Trungpa's foremost students and is now director of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Her programs at the Abbey are booked up as much as a year in advance. Information about her programs there and elsewhere can be by sending e-mail to the abbey at gampo@shambhala.org, or from her website.
The mother of two children and a former teacher, her desire to become a nun was so great that she traveled to South-east Asia to research the Buddhist ordination line for women, which was totally unknown in the West at that time. She was ordained in Taiwan. Like Atisha, she is known for her scrupulous observance of the vinaya (Buddhist moral code), which she sees not as a restriction but as a path to freedom. Her personal impeccability lends weight to her defense of other Buddhist teachers accused of improprieties.
The commentaries in this database are taken from "Start Where You Are" (Shambhala Publications.) She is the author of two other books and many audiotapes, listed below. The royalties from these all go to support Gampo Abbey, whose facilities urgently need to be expanded to meet the demand.
- The Wisdom of No Escape. Principally on the Shamatha meditation practice, with some discussion of Mind Training (tonglen). Also available in an abridged small-format edition as 'Awakening Loving-Kindness'.
- When Things Fall Apart. Mainly on the tonglen practice and the third point of Mind Training (using adversity to wake up.) This book is so useful and accessible that probably most of the people who own and love it are not Buddhist practitioners as such. A great gift for friends in crisis, or for yourself.
- A series of six audiotapes on this practice, entitled Awakening Compassion and available from Sounds True recordings (1-800-333-9185.) I also have a friend who bought this tape set in Costco!
- Many of Pema's other talks are also available on audiotape. For a list, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Lynn Vande Bunte, 4035 South Rose #301, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
