Pema Chödrön, born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown, was raised in a traditional New England family. She was first introduced to Buddhism in the 1970s through her husband, who had a strong interest in the practice. Despite her initial skepticism, Chödrön became more and more intrigued by the teachings of Buddhism and began to attend meditation retreats and study groups.

In 1974, she and her husband traveled to the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, a large annual prayer festival in Bodh Gaya, India. It was there that she met the renowned meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who would become her teacher and mentor. Under his guidance, she began to study and practice Buddhism more seriously.

After several years of studying and practicing, Chödrön decided to take the next step and become a nun. In 1981, she took her vows and became a novice nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She was given the name Pema Chödrön, which means "Lotus Dharma" in Tibetan.

Chödrön's decision to become a nun was not an easy one. She had to leave behind her family, friends, and comfortable life in the United States to move to a monastery in Nova Scotia, Canada. This was a significant sacrifice, but she was determined to deepen her understanding and practice of Buddhism.

As a nun, Chödrön underwent rigorous training and studied the teachings of Buddhism in depth. She also spent a significant amount of time in solitary retreat, which allowed her to deepen her meditation practice and gain a deeper understanding of herself.

Throughout her years as a nun, Chödrön continued to study and practice Buddhism under the guidance of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and other renowned teachers. She also began to teach and share her knowledge with others, eventually becoming a highly respected teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Today, Pema Chödrön is a bestselling author and one of the most influential Buddhist teachers in the Western world. She has dedicated her life to sharing the wisdom and teachings of Buddhism with others, helping them find peace and compassion in their lives.

In conclusion, Pema Chödrön became a Buddhist nun through a combination of curiosity, dedication, and a deep desire to understand and practice the teachings of Buddhism. Her journey to becoming a nun was not without challenges, but she persevered and has become a beloved teacher and inspiration to many.