The contributors to this website include Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, guest dharma teachers of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition including tulkus and khenpos, as well as Jetsunma’s students who are both ordained (monks and nuns) and lay practitioners.
A Brief Biography of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo 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, and yet Jetsunma’s teaching demonstrates an intuitive grasp of both the meaning of all levels of the Buddha’s teachings and the methods for making them fully understandable to the Western student.
Jetsunma was recognized as Genyenma Ahkon Lhamo, the sister of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, the First Throneholder of the Palyul Lineage by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Dzongnang Rinpoche. She was also recognized as Lhacham Mandarava, the Indian consort of Padmasambhava by His Holiness Kusum Lingpa and His Holiness Ngawang Tenzin.
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 Lhamo. Her recognition and enthronement marked the first time ever that a Western woman had been so recognized.
In addition to teaching the Dharma, building stupas in Maryland and Arizona, and guiding meditation retreats, Jetsunma has long championed animal rescue. She founded Tara’s Babies Animal Welfare for dogs, and the Garuda Aviary for abused and abandoned parrots. Jetsunma directs an outreach program for Buddhist Study groups in the Maryland State Prison system. Jetsunma also uses music to propagate the Dharma. In April 1985, Jetsunma and her students began the 24 Hour Prayer Vigil at KPC, dedicated to the end of suffering for all sentient beings. The Prayer Vigil continues unbroken to the present day.
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