The First Western Female Tulku
At that time, His Holiness also recognized Catherine as the incarnation of Genyenma Ahkon Lhamo. He stated that during that lifetime, Ahkon Lhamo was recognized as a primordial wisdom dakini who demonstrated many miraculous signs of accomplishment and was still known throughout Kham. Thus, Catherine became the first Western female tulku.
As the first Western Palyul Dharma center, Palyul Changchub Choling is the sight of His Holiness' throne and the seat of the Palyul lineage in the West. While Jetsunma continues to be the main teacher, other lamas such as the Ven. Gyaltrul Rinpoche and the Ven. Khenpo Rinpoches Palden Sherab and Tsewang Dongyal continue to visit regularly, giving teachings, empowerments, and transmissions.
Our commitment is to do all that we can for the upliftment of all life and the liberation of minds and hearts from the ravages of anger, greed, and delusion.
At the heart of the center's activities is the maintenance of a round-the-clock vigil of prayer and meditation for the earth. The members have been continuously practicing in two-hour shifts since April of 1985.
Jetsunma has stated,
"Our commitment is to do all that we can for the upliftment of all life and the liberation of minds and hearts from the ravages of anger, greed, and delusion. We believe that this must be the foundation of any real change or lasting peace on this earth. We will continue this vigil until that goal is achieved. The doors to the prayer room will always remain open to anyone who shares in this commitment."
In the summer of 1988, H.H. Penor Rinpoche returned to America for an extended tour. He visited Ven Gyaltrul Rinpoche's temple, Tashi Choeling, in Ashland, Oregon to give the Nyingma Kama empowerments and transmissions. In the fall, he planned to visit Palyul Changchub choeling outside of Washington, D.C. to give the empowerments of the Rinchen Terdzod, a collection of all the major revelations which the Padmasambhava left in Tibet. This will be first time the Rinchen Terdzod has been given in the west and it is also the first time His Holiness has given this teaching in this lifetime. Those interested in attending the Rinchen Terdzod should contact P.C.C.
The stories of the dedication, perseverance and miraculous accomplishments of great bodhisattvas are very inspiring to those endeavoring to establish Dharma in the East.
At the request of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, the history of the Palyul lineage in Tibet and India was written down and translated. Snow Lion will soon publish,
A Garland of Immortal Wish-fulfilling Trees.
This is a complete account of the lives of the eleven throne holders plus other lamas, such as Karma Chegmed and Migyur Dorje who have contributed to the founding and flourishing of the Palyul lineage. The stories of the dedication, perseverance and miraculous accomplishments of great bodhisattvas are very inspiring to those endeavoring to establish Dharma in the East. This long overdue account of one of the major lineages of the Nyingmapa school will be welcomed by practitioner and scholars alike.
For more information
Click on the following links of interest:
Palyul Changchub Choeling
Rinchen Terdzod
Nyingma Kama