Palyul Teachers

Her Eminence Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1949.  Born Alyce L. Zeoli, she had neither grown up in a Buddhist culture nor received a classic Buddhist education. Yet she recalls a spiritual yearning for as long as she can remember. She prayed often for a way to fulfill the spiritual potential she felt. When she was 19, she had a series of dreams that offered her very precise instructions on how to meditate. She followed these methods that arose in her mind, and practiced for the next 12 years.

Jetsunma met His Holiness Penor Rinpoche for the first time in 1985 during his visit to the United States. Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Dzongnang Rinpoche agreed that Alyce Zeoli was indeed the reincarnation of Genyenma Akhon Lhamo, the sister of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, the First Throneholder of the Palyul lineage.

In 1988, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche traveled to Jetsunma’s center in Poolesville, MD, which he named Kunzang Palyul Odsal Changchub Choling (KPC) and enthroned her as Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo.  Her recognition and enthronement marked the first time ever that a Western woman had been so recognized.

In 1994, His Holiness Kusum Lingpa, a Nyingma master and terton, further recognized Jetsunma as Lhacham Mandarava, the Indian consort of Padmasambhava.  In 2004, His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin, at the time the Dorje Lopon, or chief religious official, of Bhutan, reiterated this identification with Mandarava.

His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th Throneholder of The Palyul Lineage of Nyingma. He was considered one of the foremost masters of the Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Throughout the Buddhist community he was respected for his vast knowledge and accomplishment and for the integrity and strength with which he upheld the Buddhist teachings. His Holiness attained Parinirvana on March 27, 2009

The Third Drubwang Pema Norbu (“Penor”) Rinpoche was born in the Powo region of Kham, East Tibet to Sonam Gyurme (father) and Dzom Kyi (mother) during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar the year of the Water Monkey (1932). His birth took place during the most bitter, cold, bleak and dry part of the winter season, a time when nothing grows and the land is blanketed with thick, deep, heavy snow. Yet at the time of his birth, sweetly-scented flowers burst into blossoms all around the home of the infant tulku.

Rinpoche was formally enthroned by his master Thubten Chökyi Dawa (1894-1959) [the second Chögtrul Rinpoche], and Karma Thekchok Nyingpo (1908-1958) [the fourth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche]. In time, Penor Rinpoche would become the Eleventh Throneholder of Palyul Monastery with its more than four hundred branch monasteries. He spent many years at Palyul, studying and receiving teachings from numerous masters and scholars. He received mind-to-mind transmission from Lungtrul Rinpoche Shedrup Tenpai Nyima. He also received training and instructions from the Fourth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the Tenth Throneholder, who carefully prepared him as his successor. In turn, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche trained the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche.

Source: Palyul Ling International.

His Holiness the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness Dujom Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche as the unmistaken incarnation of previous Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Karma Thegchog Nyingpo.

He was invited to Namdroling Monastery where Penor Rinpoche looked after him and provided him with basic religious education. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche excelled in all the monastic training and mastered all the traditional knowledge of The Palyul Lineage. He also received numerous Nyingma Teachings from great masters such as His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche.

Keeping in view of his wonderful qualities of a master, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche appointed him as the Head of the Palyul Mother Monastery in Tibet in 1994. On 14 August 2000, he was formally enthroned as the lineage holder of the Palyul Tradition and is now the 12th throne holder of The Palyul Lineage. Penor Rinpoche on many occasions appreciated his efforts in holding the pure lineage of Palyul tradition and dissemination of Buddha Dharma in the Land of Snows.

The significant achievement of Karma Kuchen Rinpoche since his arrival in Tibet was that he had built many temples, stupas, prayer wheels, images of deities and other objects of veneration and faith. Under the direction of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, he has built a very grand and magnificent temple within the monastery premises.

Source: Palyul Ling International.