Difference between revisions of "Tenzin Palmo"
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| − | + | [[Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo]] is a [[Tibetan Buddhist nun]] in the [[Drukpa Kagyu|Drukpa Lineage]] of the [[Kagyu]] school. She is an author, [[teacher]] and founder of the [[Dongyu Gatsal Ling]] [[Nunnery]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]. She is best known for being one of the very few [[Western]] [[yogini]]s trained in the [[East]], having spent twelve years living in a remote {{Wiki|cave}} in the [[Himalayas]], three of those years in strict [[meditation retreat]]. | |
| − | + | Vicki Mackenzie, who wrote {{Wiki|Cave}} in the Snow about her, relates that what inspired the [[writing]] of the [[book]] was reading Tenzin Palmo's statement to a [[Buddhist]] magazine that "I have made a [[vow]] to [[attain Enlightenment]] in the {{Wiki|female}} [[form]] - no {{Wiki|matter}} how many lifetimes it takes". | |
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| − | + | =={{Wiki|Biography}}== | |
| + | [[Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo]] was born [[Diane Perry]] in the [[East]] End of [[London]] in June 1943. Although spiritualist meetings were held in her childhood home, she [[realized]] at the age of 18 that she was a [[Buddhist]] when she read a library [[book]] on the [[subject]]. She moved to [[India]] at 20, where she [[taught]] English at the [[Young Lamas Home School]] for a few months before meeting her [[root lama]], the 8th [[Khamtrul Rinpoche]]. In 1964 she became only the second [[Western]] woman to be [[ordained]] in the [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[tradition]], receiving the [[name]] Drubgyu [[Tenzin Palmo]], or 'Glorious Lady who Upholds the [[Doctrine]] of the Practice Succession'. The [[ordination]] was as a [[Śrāmaṇerī|shramanerika]], or [[novice nun]], the [[highest]] level of [[ordination]] currently available for women in the [[Tibetan tradition]] where the [[bhikshuni]] [[sangha]] has [[died]] out. However, with the support of her [[teacher]], in 1973 [[Tenzin Palmo]] received the full [[bhikshuni]] [[ordination]] in [[Hong Kong]], one of the first [[Western]] women to do so. | ||
| − | ==Books== | + | Living at [[Khamtrul Rinpoche]]'s [[monastery]] as the sole [[nun]] among 100 [[monks]] provided [[Tenzin Palmo]] with first-hand [[experience]] of the {{Wiki|discrimination}} that restricted women’s access to [[information]] that was imparted freely to men. Eager for instruction, she felt frustrated by the fact that she was kept out of most [[monastic]] [[activities]] because of [[misogynistic]] prejudices. This phase lasted for six years. Then [[Tenzin Palmo]] left the [[monastery]] at her [[teacher’s]] suggestion to go to Lahul in the higher reaches of the [[Indian]] [[Himalayas]], where she would eventually enter the {{Wiki|cave}} and launch herself into uninterrupted, intense [[spiritual practice]]. |
| − | *A collection of her teachings was released as the book Into the Heart of Life by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Snow Lion Publications, 2011. | + | |
| − | *Her life was profiled in the book Cave in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie | + | In 1976 [[Tenzin Palmo]] commenced living in a {{Wiki|cave}} in the [[Himalayas]] [[measuring]] 10 feet wide and six feet deep and remained there for 12 years, for three of which she was in full [[retreat]]. The {{Wiki|cave}} was high in the remote Lahul area of the [[Indian]] [[Himalayas]], on the border of [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Tibet]]. In the course of the [[retreat]] she grew her [[own]] [[food]] and practiced deep [[meditation]] based on [[ancient]] [[Buddhist beliefs]]. In accordance with protocol, she never lay down, [[sleeping]] in a [[traditional]] wooden [[meditation]] box in a [[meditative posture]] for just three hours a night. The last three years were spent in complete isolation. She survived temperatures of below −30° Fahrenheit (−35°C) and snow for six to eight months of the year. |
| − | *Tenzin Palmo released a book containing some of her teachings: Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism | + | |
| − | *Three Teachings is a compilation of talks given by Tenzin Palmo in Singapore, in 1998. Three Teachings - Three Teachings | + | [[Tenzin Palmo]] emerged from the {{Wiki|cave}} in 1988 and travelled to {{Wiki|Italy}} as visa problems meant she needed to leave [[India]]. Since her [[retreat]] [[Tenzin Palmo]] has taken on the [[cause]] of {{Wiki|equal}} rights and opportunities for [[Buddhist nuns]]. In support of this, she spent several years travelling the [[world]] fund raising for a new [[Buddhist]] [[nunnery]], as her [[root lama]] had asked her to do. In 2000, the [[Dongyu Gatsal Ling]] [[Nunnery]] was opened with the {{Wiki|purpose}} of giving [[education]] and {{Wiki|training}} to women from [[Tibet]] and the [[Himalayan]] border regions. At this [[nunnery]], [[Tenzin Palmo]] also plans to re-establish the [[extinct]] [[lineage]] of togdenmas, a [[Drukpa Kagyu]] [[yogini]] order. within the [[Drukpa Kagyu]] [[tradition]]. |
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| + | [[Tenzin Palmo]] is a member of the six member 'Committee of [[Western]] [[Bhikshunis]]', an organisation of senior [[Western]] [[nuns]] supported by two Advisors from [[Taiwan]] (Ven. [[Bhiksuni]] [[Heng-ching Shih]], [[Professor]] of [[Philosophy]] at [[Taiwan National University]] ([[Gelongma]] [[ordination]] 1975 in [[San Francisco]]) and Ven. [[Bhikshuni]] [[Wu-yin]], [[Vinaya Master]]). It was formed in the autumn of 2005, after the [[Dalai Lama]] told [[Bhikshuni]] [[Carola Roloff|Jampa Tsedroen]] that the [[Western]] [[bhikshunis]] should be more involved in helping to establish the [[bhikshuni ordination]] in the [[Tibetan tradition]]. | ||
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| + | On 16 February 2008, [[Tenzin Palmo]] was conferred as [[Jetsunma]] ([[reverend lady]]) in {{Wiki|recognition}} of her [[spiritual]] achievements as a [[nun]] and her efforts in promoting the {{Wiki|status}} of {{Wiki|female}} practitioners in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] by the head of the [[Drukpa Lineage]], the [[Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa]] /[[Gyalwang Drukpa the XIIth]] - [[Gyalwang Drukpa]]. | ||
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| + | ==[[Books]]== | ||
| + | *A collection of her teachings was released as the [[book]] Into the [[Heart]] of [[Life]] by [[Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo]], [[Snow Lion Publications]], 2011. | ||
| + | *Her [[life]] was profiled in the [[book]] {{Wiki|Cave}} in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie | ||
| + | *[[Tenzin Palmo]] released a [[book]] containing some of her teachings: Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical [[Buddhism]] | ||
| + | *[[Three Teachings]] is a compilation of talks given by [[Tenzin Palmo]] in {{Wiki|Singapore}}, in 1998. [[Three Teachings]] - [[Three Teachings]] | ||
==Online texts== | ==Online texts== | ||
| − | [http://www.congress-on-buddhist-women.org/index.php?id=42 Abstract: A brief overview of the situation for nuns in the Tibetan Tradition] speech by Bhiksuni Tenzin Palmo at the International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha | + | [http://www.congress-on-buddhist-women.org/index.php?id=42 Abstract: A brief overview of the situation for nuns in the Tibetan Tradition] {{Wiki|speech}} by [[Bhiksuni]] [[Tenzin Palmo]] at the International Congress on [[Buddhist]] Women's Role in the [[Sangha]] |
==Media== | ==Media== | ||
*[http://tenzinpalmo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=34 H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa's explanation of "Jetsunma"] Video | *[http://tenzinpalmo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=34 H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa's explanation of "Jetsunma"] Video | ||
| − | *Buddhas kämpferische Nonne Das abenteuerliche Leben der Diane Perry 3sat 07-12-2008 | + | *[[Buddhas]] kämpferische Nonne Das abenteuerliche Leben der [[Diane Perry]] 3sat 07-12-2008 |
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| + | {{W}} | ||
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[[Category:Western Buddhist Teachers]] | [[Category:Western Buddhist Teachers]] | ||
[[Category:Drukpa Kagyu]] | [[Category:Drukpa Kagyu]] | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Nun's]] | |
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Latest revision as of 04:18, 17 November 2020
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a Tibetan Buddhist nun in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She is best known for being one of the very few Western yoginis trained in the East, having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat.
Vicki Mackenzie, who wrote Cave in the Snow about her, relates that what inspired the writing of the book was reading Tenzin Palmo's statement to a Buddhist magazine that "I have made a vow to attain Enlightenment in the female form - no matter how many lifetimes it takes".
Biography
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo was born Diane Perry in the East End of London in June 1943. Although spiritualist meetings were held in her childhood home, she realized at the age of 18 that she was a Buddhist when she read a library book on the subject. She moved to India at 20, where she taught English at the Young Lamas Home School for a few months before meeting her root lama, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche. In 1964 she became only the second Western woman to be ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, receiving the name Drubgyu Tenzin Palmo, or 'Glorious Lady who Upholds the Doctrine of the Practice Succession'. The ordination was as a shramanerika, or novice nun, the highest level of ordination currently available for women in the Tibetan tradition where the bhikshuni sangha has died out. However, with the support of her teacher, in 1973 Tenzin Palmo received the full bhikshuni ordination in Hong Kong, one of the first Western women to do so.
Living at Khamtrul Rinpoche's monastery as the sole nun among 100 monks provided Tenzin Palmo with first-hand experience of the discrimination that restricted women’s access to information that was imparted freely to men. Eager for instruction, she felt frustrated by the fact that she was kept out of most monastic activities because of misogynistic prejudices. This phase lasted for six years. Then Tenzin Palmo left the monastery at her teacher’s suggestion to go to Lahul in the higher reaches of the Indian Himalayas, where she would eventually enter the cave and launch herself into uninterrupted, intense spiritual practice.
In 1976 Tenzin Palmo commenced living in a cave in the Himalayas measuring 10 feet wide and six feet deep and remained there for 12 years, for three of which she was in full retreat. The cave was high in the remote Lahul area of the Indian Himalayas, on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Tibet. In the course of the retreat she grew her own food and practiced deep meditation based on ancient Buddhist beliefs. In accordance with protocol, she never lay down, sleeping in a traditional wooden meditation box in a meditative posture for just three hours a night. The last three years were spent in complete isolation. She survived temperatures of below −30° Fahrenheit (−35°C) and snow for six to eight months of the year.
Tenzin Palmo emerged from the cave in 1988 and travelled to Italy as visa problems meant she needed to leave India. Since her retreat Tenzin Palmo has taken on the cause of equal rights and opportunities for Buddhist nuns. In support of this, she spent several years travelling the world fund raising for a new Buddhist nunnery, as her root lama had asked her to do. In 2000, the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery was opened with the purpose of giving education and training to women from Tibet and the Himalayan border regions. At this nunnery, Tenzin Palmo also plans to re-establish the extinct lineage of togdenmas, a Drukpa Kagyu yogini order. within the Drukpa Kagyu tradition.
Tenzin Palmo is a member of the six member 'Committee of Western Bhikshunis', an organisation of senior Western nuns supported by two Advisors from Taiwan (Ven. Bhiksuni Heng-ching Shih, Professor of Philosophy at Taiwan National University (Gelongma ordination 1975 in San Francisco) and Ven. Bhikshuni Wu-yin, Vinaya Master). It was formed in the autumn of 2005, after the Dalai Lama told Bhikshuni Jampa Tsedroen that the Western bhikshunis should be more involved in helping to establish the bhikshuni ordination in the Tibetan tradition.
On 16 February 2008, Tenzin Palmo was conferred as Jetsunma (reverend lady) in recognition of her spiritual achievements as a nun and her efforts in promoting the status of female practitioners in Tibetan Buddhism by the head of the Drukpa Lineage, the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa /Gyalwang Drukpa the XIIth - Gyalwang Drukpa.
Books
- A collection of her teachings was released as the book Into the Heart of Life by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Snow Lion Publications, 2011.
- Her life was profiled in the book Cave in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie
- Tenzin Palmo released a book containing some of her teachings: Reflections On A Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism
- Three Teachings is a compilation of talks given by Tenzin Palmo in Singapore, in 1998. Three Teachings - Three Teachings
Online texts
Abstract: A brief overview of the situation for nuns in the Tibetan Tradition speech by Bhiksuni Tenzin Palmo at the International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha
Media
- H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa's explanation of "Jetsunma" Video
- Buddhas kämpferische Nonne Das abenteuerliche Leben der Diane Perry 3sat 07-12-2008
