Teachers

H.E. Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche, is the founder and Spiritual Director of Kunzang Palyul Chöling Buddhist temple. She began teaching in 1983. In 1985, she met her teacher, H.H. Penor Rinpoche on his first visit to America. At that time, he authorized Jetsunma to teach Dharma in America directly from her own realization. She has taught extensively on compassion, meditation, the nature of mind and the importance of relying on a spiritual master. Jetsunma’s down-to-earth style makes ancient spiritual concepts immediately and directly available to modern western students.

The 3^rd Drubwang Padma Norbu (Penor) Rinpoche was the 11^th throneholder of the Palyul Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen, meditation techniques designed to help us realize our true nature, and respected for the integrity and strength with which he upheld the Buddhist teachings. It was he who first recognized Jetsunma as an authentic Buddhist teacher with an extraordinary ability to relate to western students. H.H. has since been reborn as the 4^th Penor Rinpoche, and is currently studying and leading ceremonies at the Palyul Monastery in Tibet.

H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche is the current 12^th throneholder of the Palyul Lineage. He resides at the main monastery in Tibet and has been teaching and leading the monastic community there, as well as caring for H.H. the 4^th Penor Rinpoche.

Originally from Bhutan, Khenpo has been in the United States for many years. He has overseen the Palyul retreats in upstate New York and has recently established a new temple for the New York City sangha NPDC in Queens. Jetsunma has requested Khenpo Norgay teach and give empowerments at KPC as often as possible.

Khenpo came to Namdroling Monastery in 1993 from his village in northern India. He graduated from Ngagyur Nyingma Institute’s intensive Buddhist graduate course in 2006, and was awarded the degree of Khenpo, equivalent to a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy, in 2011. He has received teachings and empowerments from many great Nyingma masters, and taught extensively in various Palyul temples in Nepal, India, Europe and Taiwan.

Khenpo is originally from Nepal. Following his graduation from Shedra in 2014, he stayed in residence at KPC for part of each year from 2015-2022 and taught a multi-year course on the Bodhisattva Way of Life, by Shantideva, as well as teaching on many other topics at Jetsunma’s request. At present, he is traveling the world to spread Buddha’s doctrine with the wish to help all sentient beings.

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo’s daughter and heart student, Atira was raised in the Dharma and has been authorized to teach by Jetsunma.