Who is Khadro – la?
Khadro-la is the State Medium of the Tenma Oracle. The Tenma Goddesses are Twelve Guardian Deities of Tibetan Buddhism.
In Dharamsala, India, there is a Tenma oracle, consulted and honored by HH Dalai Lama, for which this young Tibetan woman is the kuten, which literally means, “the physical basis”.
Please note that HH Dalai Lama consults several oracles and the official state oracle of Tibet is the Nechung oracle.
Khadro la’s long life prayer for Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche (phonetics, translation and Tibetan script) is lovingly composed and such a sincere expression of guru devotion. Here’s a rendition of her prayer with images of Lama Zopa Rinpoche sung in Tibetan with a tender melody.
Sun of Devotion Stream of Blessings (Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives, 2016) — a collection of teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche contains fascinating and often moving recollections about Khadro la.
I admit I must be in the minority, I had heard of Khadro la but hadn’t had a chance to learn much about her. Her life is very interesting and her humility and strength to risk her life for the Dharma are extraordinary.
In a 2008 interview for Mandala magazine, she said, ““About two years ago, His Holiness advised me that whenever the opportunity comes, I should give teachings or any kind of service that I can deliver to those who are in need. But I know I have nothing to offer to others. To tell you honestly, in my mind I have a very strong belief that the essence of life is only to have the realization of bodhichitta and emptiness. Though it is difficult to gain, my primary wish is to achieve indestructible faith in these two before I die.”
Then she continued, “If I cannot help people to generate these things, our meeting is just a waste of time. Other than that, I am the poorest by inner, outer and secret perspectives. The best side of me is only that I met the best Dharma, best practice and the best lamas.”
Ven. Roger Kunsang’s interview with Khadro la in the 2008 edition of Mandala magazine.
The October – December 2012 edition of Mandala magazine has an interview with Khadro-la. Here’s an excerpt from the interview in which Khadro-la suggests using stupas to minimize harm from the elements on the West coast.
Recently, we are very fortunate that Khadro la has started teaching more frequently at Dharma Centers around the world. Recordings of her teachings are available on YouTube, for example:
Khadro la at Institut Vajrayogini (French, also available in other languages) May 13 – 21, 2018. (For those of you who are learning Tibetan like me, Khadro la’s Tibetan is extremely clear and easy to understand, and this recording’s quality is excellent.)
