Pema Chödrön
Born 1936 · Age 89
American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun, teacher, author, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism, principal teacher at Gampo Abbey, author of many books on Buddhism and mindfulness.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in New York City
Birth of Deirdre Blomfield-Brown (later known as Pema Chödrön) in New York City to Reginald and Virginia Blomfield-Brown.
Grew up Catholic on a New Jersey farm
Childhood and religious upbringing: raised Catholic on a New Jersey farm with an older brother and sister.
Attended Miss Porter's School (secondary education)
Graduated from Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut (exact graduation year not stated; attendance noted).
First marriage (age 21)
Pema married at age 21 (specific spouse/date not given in source).
Earned bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College (approx.)
Obtained a bachelor's degree in English literature from Sarah Lawrence College (exact year not given; estimated late 1950s).
Began career as elementary school teacher (approx.)
Worked as an elementary teacher for many years in New Mexico and California (exact start/end dates not specified; teaching career prior to ordination).
Earned master's degree from UC Berkeley (approx.)
Obtained a master's degree in elementary education from the University of California, Berkeley (exact year not given; estimated around 1960).
Traveled to French Alps; met Lama Chime Rinpoche (mid-30s)
In her mid-thirties she traveled to the French Alps and met Lama Chime Rinpoche and later studied with him in London over several years.
First met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Met her root teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche for the first time; later studied with him from 1974 until his death in 1987.
Began full study with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Studied with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche from 1974 and became one of his Western disciples until his death in 1987.
Took novice ordination as a Buddhist nun
Became a novice Buddhist nun (śrāmaṇerī) under Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, while studying with Lama Chime Rinpoche in London.
Appointed director of Boulder Shambhala Center (early 1980s)
Chögyam Trungpa appointed Pema Chödrön director of the Boulder Shambhala Center (Karma Dzong / Boulder Dharmadhatu) in Colorado in the early 1980s.
Received full bhikshuni ordination in Hong Kong
In July 1981 she became the first American in the Vajrayana tradition to receive full ordination (bhikshuni) — ordination was in the Chinese lineage (in Hong Kong) at the request of the Karmapa.
Moved to Gampo Abbey (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)
Moved to the rural site of Gampo Abbey, the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in North America for Western men and women, founded under Chögyam Trungpa's direction.
Became first director of Gampo Abbey
Appointed the first director of Gampo Abbey, which serves Western monks and nuns; began leading the abbey community.
Gave talks at Gampo Abbey that later became The Wisdom of No Escape
Talk series at Gampo Abbey (1989) formed the basis of her first book published in 1991.
Retreat teaching at Gampo Abbey and summer courses in Berkeley formalized
Regular teaching patterns established: annual winter 'Yarne' retreat at Gampo Abbey and summer 'Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life' courses in Berkeley (ongoing for many years).
Published first book: The Wisdom of No Escape
Pema Chödrön's first book, The Wisdom of No Escape: And the Path of Loving-Kindness, published (based on talks given at Gampo Abbey in 1989).
Given the title 'acharya' in Shambhala lineage
Received the title of acharya (senior teacher) when Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche assumed leadership of his father's Shambhala lineage.
Recognized as senior teacher in Shambhala movement
Receiving the acharya title placed her among Shambhala's senior Western teachers and increased her responsibilities and visibility within the community.
Published Start Where You Are included in later anthologies
Start Where You Are (1994) later included in The Compassion Box (2003); book contributed to the spread of her practical teachings.
Published Start Where You Are
Published Start Where You Are, a book compiled from talks and teachings on working with suffering and developing compassion.
Developed chronic fatigue syndrome
Became ill with chronic fatigue syndrome in 1994; health gradually improved over time.
Became student of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
During her illness and recovery (mid-1990s) she met and took Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche as a teacher and occasionally retreats under his guidance.
Personal life: Divorce and family details
Had divorced her first marriage in her mid-twenties, remarried and later divorced a second time eight years later; she has two children (Arlyn and Edward) and three grandchildren (dates unspecified).
Published When Things Fall Apart (major bestseller)
Published When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, which significantly increased her visibility and readership (some sources list 1997; year here follows primary source as 1996).
When Things Fall Apart widely recognized/popularity spike
Following publication, Chödrön gained broad notoriety and readership; book became an enduring bestseller and gateway for many Western readers to Buddhist teachings.
Audio/recording releases expanded (1997-2000)
Released notable audio recordings in late 1990s including Awakening Compassion (1997), Noble Heart (1998), Good Medicine (1999), Pure Meditation (1999) and others.
Audio conversation and live events broaden audience
Live recordings and events (including conversation with Alice Walker, audio taped in 1999) brought Pema's teachings to broader non-Buddhist audiences.
Conversation recorded with Alice Walker
Released a live recording (Pema Chödrön and Alice Walker in Conversation) taped at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts discussing suffering and joy (audio released 1999).
Public and media visibility increased via TV and press
Appearances such as Bill Moyers and widespread book reviews and references in popular media increased reach of her teachings around 2000s.
Published The Places That Scare You
Published The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times (covers bodhichitta and practices for fear and uncertainty).
Received Nautilus Award for The Places That Scare You
Awarded the Nautilus Award for adult nonfiction (Networking Alternatives for Publishers, Retailers, and Artists) for The Places That Scare You.
Published Comfortable with Uncertainty
Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings (a compilation) published, drawing on previous works and teachings.
Contributed to/Published The Compassion Box
Start Where You Are included in The Compassion Box: Powerful Practices from the Buddhist Tradition for Cultivating Wisdom, Fearlessness and Compassion (2003).
The Compassion Box includes her work
Anthology The Compassion Box (2003) featured Start Where You Are and other practices making her teachings available in curated form.
Joined Committee of Western Bhikshunis
Became a member of The Committee of Western Bhikshunis (organization supporting Western bhikshuni ordination and training).
Published No Time to Lose (commentary on Shantideva)
No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva, a commentary on Shantideva's work, published in 2005.
Practicing Peace in Times of War (talks edited into book)
Practicing Peace in Times of War, based on talks and edited by Sandy Boucher, published (publisher/editions cited 2006/2007 in sources).
Pema Chödrön Foundation founded
The Pema Chödrön Foundation was founded to preserve and share Pema's teachings and to create an endowment; royalties and gifts benefit the foundation.
Royalties and honoraria directed to Pema Chödrön Foundation
The Foundation holds royalties from Pema's books and tapes; gifts and honoraria generated by Pema benefit the Foundation to support Gampo Abbey and charitable projects.
Appeared on Bill Moyers on 'Faith & Reason'
Featured on Bill Moyers' program discussing faith and Pema's teachings (program dated Aug 4, 2006).
Practicing Peace in Times of War widely circulated
Practicing Peace in Times of War published and reviewed (Publishers Weekly noted in 2007).
Featured in 'Becoming Pema' profile (Lion's Roar)
Andrea Miller's in-depth profile 'Becoming Pema' published (source retrieved Oct 2014) highlighting Pema's influence and life story.
Oprah.com interview referenced
An interview 'Oprah Talks to Pema Chödrön' appears on Oprah.com (site retrieval date Dec 1, 2015).
Received Global Bhikkhuni Award
Awarded the Global Bhikkhuni Award presented by the Chinese Buddhist Bhikkhuni Association of Taiwan (one of eight North American recipients).
Acknowledged as author of 'several dozen' books and audiobooks
Multiple sources and foundation state that Pema has authored over 20 books and numerous audio recordings and courses; her talks have been widely disseminated.
Announced retirement
Pema Chödrön retired in 2020 from active teaching roles (Washington Post reported her retirement and cited her reasons).
Resigned acharya role from Shambhala International
Resigned as acharya (senior teacher) from Shambhala International citing concerns about the leadership's handling of sexual misconduct allegations and 'unwise direction'.
Profile and retrospectives continue to appear
Writings and profiles (e.g., The Cut 2019, ongoing library / publisher listings) continue to highlight her influence; her works remain in print and widely used.
Appointed Abbess of Gampo Abbey
In 2025, two years after the death of the first Abbot Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Ani Pema was appointed Abbess of Gampo Abbey (per Gampo Abbey site).
Key Achievement Ages
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