Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Diane Perry grew up in London's East End. At the age of 18 however, she read a book on Buddhism and realised that this might fill a long-sensed void in her life...
In 1963, at the age of 20, she went to India and met her root guru, His Eminence the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage.
In 1976 she secluded herself in a remote cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas, where she stayed for 12 years between the ages of 33 and 45. In this mountain hideaway she faced unimaginable cold, wild animals, floods, snow and rockfalls, grew her own food and slept in a traditional wooden meditation box, three feet square - she never lay down. In 1988 she emerged from the cave with a determination to build a convent in northern India to revive the Togdenma lineage, a long-forgotten female spiritual elite. (Source: Cave in the Snow, Bloomsbury, 1999.)
In 2001 construction began at the Padhiarkar site for the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery. H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche gave the nunnery the name Dongyu Gatsal Ling, which translates as “Garden of the Authentic Lineage”.
In February 2008 Tenzin Palmo was given the rare title of Jetsunma, which means Venerable Master, by His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, Head of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage in recognition of her spiritual achievements as a nun and her efforts in promoting the status of female practitioners in Tibetan Buddhism.
Tenzin Palmo spends most of the year at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery and occasionally tours to give teachings and raise funds for the ongoing needs of the DGL nuns and Nunnery.
In addition to her role as Founding Director of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, Jetsunma is a former President of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, Founding Director of the Alliance of Non Himalayan Nuns, Honorary Advisor to the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, co-president of the International Buddhist Confederation [IBC], and Founding Member of the Committee for Bhiksuni Ordination.
To find out more about Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s life, read Vicki Mackenzie’s biography Cave in the Snow published by Bloomsbury, and see the ‘Cave in the Snow’ DVD directed by Liz Thompson and narrated by Rachel Ward. (Source: TenzinPalmo.com)
- Books:
- 1999. Cave in the Snow: A Western Woman's Quest for Enlightenment, Bloomsbury.
- 2002. Reflections on a Mountain Lake, Shambhala Publications.
- 2011. Into the Heart of Life, Snow Lion Publications.
Library Items
Buddha-Nature Is Who We Really Are by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Conversations on Buddha-Nature
In this video, part of Tsadra Foundation's ongoing video series called Conversations on Buddha-Nature, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discuss various topics related to buddha-nature, including her early childhood belief in innate perfection, traditional versus alternative approaches to learning about Buddhism, guru devotion in Tibetan Buddhism, and her work as the founder and director of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India, among many other topics.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Buddha-Nature Is Who We Really Are." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 1:11:58. https://youtu.be/V4Ajks-goDo.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Buddha-Nature Is Who We Really Are." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 1:11:58. https://youtu.be/V4Ajks-goDo.;Buddha-Nature Is Who We Really Are by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Conversations on Buddha-Nature;Christian thought and Buddha-Nature;Contemporary;Defining buddha-nature;Dzogchen;Mahamudra;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Dealing with Depression: Interview with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on Study Buddhism
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo discusses buddha-nature beautifully for a general audience.
Palmo, Tenzin. "Dealing with Depression." Interview by Matt Linden and Yura Milyutin. Produced by Study Buddhism (Website), September 2016. Video, 3:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ChZpIBgSo.
Palmo, Tenzin. "Dealing with Depression." Interview by Matt Linden and Yura Milyutin. Produced by Study Buddhism (Website), September 2016. Video, 3:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ChZpIBgSo.;Dealing with Depression: Interview with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on Study Buddhism;provisional;potential;Potential or already-perfected;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo;Dealing with Depression: Interview with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Advice on Daily Practice
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Advice on Daily Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:11. https://youtu.be/8FqhpNRPsrI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Advice on Daily Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:11. https://youtu.be/8FqhpNRPsrI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Advice on Daily Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:11. https://youtu.be/8FqhpNRPsrI.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Advice on Daily Practice;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Advice on Daily Practice
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:43. https://youtu.be/77k0SKcjQ_E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:43. https://youtu.be/77k0SKcjQ_E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:43. https://youtu.be/77k0SKcjQ_E.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:38. https://youtu.be/D6_-IrFljok.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:38. https://youtu.be/D6_-IrFljok.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:38. https://youtu.be/D6_-IrFljok.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:20. https://youtu.be/M_MOG-J0IbM.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:20. https://youtu.be/M_MOG-J0IbM.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:20. https://youtu.be/M_MOG-J0IbM.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:48. https://youtu.be/E5hxRjYI9_k.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:48. https://youtu.be/E5hxRjYI9_k.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:48. https://youtu.be/E5hxRjYI9_k.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:04. https://youtu.be/2sCLpIDAhnE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:04. https://youtu.be/2sCLpIDAhnE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:04. https://youtu.be/2sCLpIDAhnE.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Balancing Practice with Daily Life
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Balancing Practice with Daily Life." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:15. https://youtu.be/R0-cm8rIq5c.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Balancing Practice with Daily Life." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:15. https://youtu.be/R0-cm8rIq5c.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Balancing Practice with Daily Life." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:15. https://youtu.be/R0-cm8rIq5c.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Balancing Practice with Daily Life;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Balancing Practice with Daily Life
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Guru Devotion
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Guru Devotion." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:22. https://youtu.be/2Ar8J-Ilx1A.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Guru Devotion." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:22. https://youtu.be/2Ar8J-Ilx1A.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Guru Devotion." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:22. https://youtu.be/2Ar8J-Ilx1A.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Guru Devotion;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Guru Devotion
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 6:40. https://youtu.be/BcJJ3cKyBEI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 6:40. https://youtu.be/BcJJ3cKyBEI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 6:40. https://youtu.be/BcJJ3cKyBEI.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:25. https://youtu.be/6iM1XpP7kkY.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:25. https://youtu.be/6iM1XpP7kkY.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:25. https://youtu.be/6iM1XpP7kkY.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:21. https://youtu.be/jFBNbK7o_Rc.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:21. https://youtu.be/jFBNbK7o_Rc.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:21. https://youtu.be/jFBNbK7o_Rc.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:19. https://youtu.be/5FArkWiVq1E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:19. https://youtu.be/5FArkWiVq1E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:19. https://youtu.be/5FArkWiVq1E.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:00. https://youtu.be/Wy278BzAhqE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:00. https://youtu.be/Wy278BzAhqE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:00. https://youtu.be/Wy278BzAhqE.;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?;Defining buddha-nature;Metaphors for buddha-nature;Buddha-nature as Emptiness;Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?
