Dharma, the teachings and doctrine of the Buddha, introduces us to the realization of the path and the consequent cessations of suffering and its causes. Compassion, the essence of the Buddha’s teachings, is a theme found in all of the world’s religions. Compassion requires honest and direct communication with others and is courageous. Compassion requires us to have the ability to understand and help others by practicing wisdom and kindness on a daily basis. Join Venerable Thubten Semkye as she shares how to integrate this wise and fearless way of thinking into daily life 

Ven. Thubten Semkye was Sravasti Abbey’s first lay resident. She met Venerable Chodron at the Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle in 1996 and took refuge with her in 1999. When the land was acquired for the Abbey in 2003, Ven. Semkye coordinated volunteers for the initial move-in and early remodeling.

Although she didn’t originally see ordination in her future, after the 2006 Chenrezig retreat when she spent half of her meditation time reflecting on death and impermanence, Ven. Semkye realized that ordaining would be the wisest, most compassionate use of her life. She became the Abbey’s third nun in 2007.