For centuries, male Buddhist teachers have had a more outsized reach, often leaving the voices of female teachers in the background. Many inspiring female Buddhist teachers have profoundly shaped modern Buddhism with their wisdom and compassion. On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate seven remarkable women—Pema Chödrön, Venerable Thubten Chodron, Sylvia Bay, Venerable Canda, Ayya Khema, and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo—whose teachings empower practitioners worldwide.

While the Buddha himself championed women’s potential for enlightenment, opportunities for female monastics and lay teachers have often been limited. Despite these challenges, remarkable women across different Buddhist traditions have emerged as influential voices, offering guidance and insight to modern practitioners.

Below is a curated playlist and booklist of seven prominent female Dhamma teachers who are readily available on YouTube! While we know that there is an non-exhaustive list of female Buddhist we have scoped this article to capture the female teachers with a corpus of available talks & resources in the english format.

For local female Sangha, you can check out Salay Sujata’s article here and Venerable Jian Xin’s content here. We were not able to find structured public playlists of talks for other local Sangha. Do drop us a holler if there is amazing female Buddhist teacher we missed!

Pema Chödrön: A Beacon of Compassion

Pema Chödrön is a renowned American Buddhist nun and teacher in the Tibetan tradition. Fully ordained in 1981, she became one of the first American women to take full monastic vows. Her teachings focus on embracing uncertainty, transforming suffering, and cultivating compassion, making them accessible even to those unfamiliar with Buddhism.

Through bestselling books like When Things Fall Apart and The Places That Scare You, Pema has guided millions through life’s difficulties with practical tools for mindfulness and emotional resilience. Her emphasis on staying present amidst discomfort has made her a beloved spiritual mentor for people of all backgrounds.

Why she inspires us: She teaches us that suffering is not something to run away from but an opportunity for growth and awakening.

Her YouTube talks can be accessed on various channels like sounds true or by searching her name.

Venerable Thubten Chodron: Integrating Buddhism and Psychology

Venerable Thubten Chodron is an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun who ordained in 1977. She is known for her ability to explain complex Buddhist concepts in a relatable and down-to-earth manner, connecting the dots between traditional teachings and contemporary psychology.

Ven. Chodron’s work spans interfaith dialogues and collaborations with scholars, as seen in Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions, co-authored with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her teachings focus on applying the Dhamma to everyday life, making her an inspiration for practitioners facing difficulties in relationships, work, and personal growth.

Why she inspires us: She makes the Dhamma relevant to modern life, showing us how to integrate compassion and wisdom into our daily interactions.

Her YouTube talks can be accessed on Sravasti Abbey

Sylvia Bay: A Scholar of the Buddha’s Life

Sylvia Bay is a Singaporean lay teacher who has dedicated her life to studying and teaching Buddhism since 1992.

Her book Between the Lines reconstructs the historical Buddha’s life, offering readers a balanced perspective that puts together faith and logic. Sylvia’s ability to unpack the Buddha’s teachings in an engaging and thought-provoking manner has made her a trusted guide for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Dhamma.

Why she inspires us: She presents Buddhism in a way that resonates with Singapore & Malaysia vibe, making Dhamma fun to learn with sprinkles of local references to Ba Chor Mee and Char Kway Teow.

Her YouTube talks can be accessed on Buddhist Fellowship or Dawning of Dhamma

Venerable Canda: Championing Bhikkhuni Ordination

Venerable Canda discovered the Dhamma in 1996 and spent years immersed in vipassana meditation before ordaining as a bhikkhuni in Myanmar in 2006. She later received full ordination in Australia under the guidance of Ajahn Brahm in 2014.

Dedicated to empowering female monastics, Ven. Canda founded the Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project in England to establish a monastery for women pursuing full ordination. Her warm and engaging teaching style focuses on kindness, letting go, and integrating meditation into daily life. She serves as an inspiring figure for those committed to upholding monastic equality in Theravāda Buddhism.

Why she inspires us: She embodies resilience and determination, championing greater inclusivity for women in Buddhism.

Her YouTube talks can be accessed on Buddhist Society of Western Australia.

Ayya Khema: A Pioneer for Women in Buddhism

Born Ilse Ledermann in Berlin, Ayya Khema overcame immense hardship during World War II before embarking on her Buddhist journey. She became a Theravāda bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka in 1979 and dedicated her life to reviving opportunities for women in Buddhism.

Ayya Khema founded numerous meditation centres and played a key role in organising the first International Conference on Buddhist Nuns in 1987. She even addressed the United Nations on Buddhism and world peace, advocating for greater recognition of female monastics. Her books, such as Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, continue to inspire practitioners to embrace simplicity and inner peace.

Why she inspires us: Even after her passing, her work remains. She paved the way for future generations of female monastics, proving that women have an equal place in Buddhist practice and leadership.

Her YouTube talks can be accessed on Insight Timer by searching her name or Youtube.

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Breaking Barriers for Women in Tibetan Buddhism

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, originally Diane Perry from England, is a pioneering Tibetan Buddhist nun. After ordaining in the Drukpa Kagyu lineage in the 1960s, she undertook a legendary 12-year solitary retreat in a remote Himalayan cave, enduring extreme conditions to deepen her practice.

Recognising the need for better opportunities for female monastics, she founded Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in India, which is dedicated to training Tibetan Buddhist nuns to reach their full potential.

She continues to be a strong advocate for women in Buddhism, inspiring practitioners worldwide with her unwavering commitment to the Dhamma.

Why she inspires us: Beyond her commonly overshared time in the cave, she is a person of great metta and inspires us to take action even when conditions might seem impossible to start trying.

Her talks can be found across many channels.

Honouring Women’s Contributions on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the transformative power of women’s voices in Buddhism. From Pema Chödrön’s compassionate teachings to Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s fearless dedication, these remarkable teachers challenge norms and enrich our understanding of the Dhamma.

As we celebrate their contributions, let us continue supporting female practitioners who shape the future of Buddhism with wisdom and courage. May their stories inspire generations to come!

Who are your favourite female Buddhist teachers? Let us know in the comments of our Telegram channel