Public talk: Letting go of worldly concerns - Ven. Thubten Chödron

Ven. Thubten Chödron in The Netherlands (April 16 & April 18-20)

We are so honored that Ven. Thubten Chödron is touring Europe again and will be visiting the Netherlands in April to offer us her wonderful teachings both at our center in Amsterdam and in Loenen.  

A pioneering Buddhist teacher, writer and Abbess of Sravasti Abbey Monastery

Ven. Chödron is a pioneering American Buddhist teacher and founder of Sravasti Abbey, who is assisting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in writing the book series The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. We are very delighted that in 2025 she will teach one evening (Wednesday, April 16) in Amsterdam and a 3-day teaching weekend (April 18-20) in Loenen.

Ven. Thubten Chödron is an American (fully ordained) Buddhist nun and teacher known for her clear and practical approach to Buddhism. She is under the guidance of the Dalai Lama and is the founder of Sravasti Abbey Monastery in the United States, one of the few Buddhist monasteries for monks and nuns in the West (the monastery where our own Ven. Palmo is staying for a while). Her work inspires many to develop compassion, wisdom and inner peace. With a down-to-earth style and deeply compassionate attitude, she helps people apply the Buddhist path in daily life and deal with difficult emotions and circumstances. 

She is known for her warm, humorous and clear teachings. She has published many books on Buddhist philosophy and meditation in multiple languages, and is currently co-author with His Holiness the Dalai Lama of a multi-volume series of teachings on the Buddhist path: The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. Her books Buddhism for Beginners and Open Heart, Clear Mind are widely recommended introductory books. Her books and lectures bring complex Buddhist teachings to life for everyone, regardless of background or experience. (Click here for more information on Ven. Chödron)

Teaching topics 

• Wednesday April 16: Public talk ‘Letting go of worldly concerns’. Online and onsite. More information will follow soon.
• Weekend April 18 – 20: The perfections: patience, joyous effort and ethics from the Bodhicharyavatara of the famous Buddhist scholar Shantideva. Online and onsite. Hosted in our retreat center in Loenen. More information & registration link will follow soon.

For whom are these teachings

Venerable Chödron emphasizes the practical application of the 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. The evening teaching is suitable for everyone. For the weekend some familiarity with the basic concepts of Buddhist thought is recommended to get the most out of this experience. 

Practical information

Dates & timing:

• Wednesday 16 April at 19.30 – 21.00 hrs CET at our center in Amsterdam & online via Zoom

• Weekend retreat 18 – 20 April filled with teachings & meditations at our center in Loenen & online via Zoom.

Other practicalities: 

• Language: English 

• Recordings: The teachings & meditation will be recorded (audio and video) and provided to you. 

• Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary information in time to join the talk or weekend.

Donation

Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.

The suggested donation for the evening teaching in Amsterdam is €25. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation day is €15. Please send us an email (amsterdam@maitreya.nl) if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.