Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

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Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
With Dakini Crown, Dakini Day - December 4, 2007, Dakini Valley, AZ. Photo by Wib Middleton
With Dakini Crown, Dakini Day - December 4, 2007, Dakini Valley, AZ. Photo by Wib Middleton
Information
Birth name:  Alyce Zeoli
Other name(s): Catharine Burroughs
Dharma name(s): Lhacham Ahkon Lhamo Metog Dron
Nationality: U.S.A.
Religion: Tibetan Buddhism
School(s): Vajrayana Nyingma
Lineage(s): Palyul
Workplace: Poolesville, Maryland
Occupation: Lama
Teacher(s): Penor Rinpoche
Reincarnation of: Ahkon Lhamo Changchub Dron
Website
Website: http://tara.org

Portal:Buddhism

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (born Alyce Zeoli) is an enthroned Nyingma tulku and a controversial American Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. She teaches compassion and bodhicitta as Kunzang Palyul Choling's spiritual director. She founded centers in Poolesville, Maryland, and Sedona, Arizona, U.S.A.,[1] as well as a center in Comboyne, NSW, Australia.[2] Jetsunma is viewed within her sangha as an American dakini or female wisdom being.[3]

Contents

[edit] Early years

Alyce was born in Brooklyn on October 12, 1949, to a Jewish mother and Italian father. She left an abusive home life at seventeen and moved south, married Pat Mulloy and had two children, Ben and Christopher.

She studied with a New Age teacher named Jim Gore and gave channelled psychic readings at the Black Mountain Light Center in North Carolina.[4][5] Alyce tells of how she began a meditative practice and independent spiritual training,culminating in a spiritual experience at age 30. In 1980, she met Michael Burroughs, a graduate student in religions at the University of Virginia. She and Pat Mulloy separated in 1981.[6]

Alyce moved with Michael and her son Christopher to Kensington, Maryland, where she married Michael in 1983 and changed her name to Catharine Burroughs. Together they formed the Center For Discovery and New Life beginning with former members from the Black Mountain Light Center. She channelled the prophet Jeremiah,[7][8] a being called Santu, as well as "a being called Andor who claimed to be head of the Intergalactic Council."[9][10] Her group quickly expanded. She taught a version of Jim Gore's Light Expansion Prayer and the group began a 24-hour prayer vigil in the basement of their Kensington home[11] inspired by her experiences when she searched for a place to pray and found locked doors.

In 1984, the Burroughs met Kunzang, a student of H. H. Penor Rinpoche, who was selling rugs to support Namdroling monastery.[12] The students sponsored seventy Namdroling monks.[13] A few months later H. H. Penor Rinpoche stayed with the Burroughs on his first visit to the US and gave the Bodhisattva Vow to her and her students.[14][15] Thereafter she continued to channel the prophet Jeremiah, but the channelled teachings took on a more Buddhist flavor,[16][17] gradually shifting terms such as "Christ consciousness" to "Buddha consciousness" between 1984 and 1987. According to the temple spokesman, the former New Age students were surprised to discover that they were now Buddhist.[18]

[edit] Recognition as a tulku

The Palyul lineage leader, Penor Rinpoche, recognized Jetsunma as a reincarnate tulku and emanation of Ahkon Lhamo, who had cofounded the Palyul lineage with her brother Kunzang Sherab in the 17th century. She was the first western woman to be enthroned as a tulku in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.[19][20] She was enthroned at Kunzang Palyul Choling in Poolesville, Maryland in September, 1988.[21][22] Penor Rinpoche is Jetsunma's root guru. Penor Rinpoche also recognized actor Steven Seagal as a tulku in 1997.[23][24]

In 1994, Lama Orgyen Kusum Lingpa recognized Jetsunma as an incarnation of Lhacham Mandarava, the princess of Zahor and one of the consorts of Padmasambhava, a tantric master who helped establish the Buddha's teaching in Tibet.[25] [26] Only Orgyen Kusum Lingpa has verified this recognition. He wrote Jetsunma a long life poem associating her with White Tara. In 1996, she traveled to India and visited many of the places where Mandarava was known to have practiced.[27]

[edit] Prayer vigil

In April, 1984, the Center for Discovery and New Life began a 24 hour prayer vigil in the basement of Catharine Burroughs' Kensington home. A year later, Center for Discovery and New Life formed a corporation and purchased the property at 18400 River Road, Poolesville, MD. They purchased numerous large crystals[28] weighing hundreds of pounds and held a three-day retreat to bring in Universal Spirit and reinstitute the 24 hour prayer vigil at its new location.[29] There participants have maintained 2 hour prayer shifts.[30] The vigil is dedicated to the end of suffering and has been largely unbroken since its inception.[31]

In 1999, Kunzang Palyul Choling began another 24 hour prayer vigil shortly after Alyce established the Sedona, Arizona location.

[edit] Peace Park and stupas

Many stupas have been built at Kunzang Palyul Choling's two locations, all containing relics pertinent to the Nyingma linage. The first stupa, the 36 foot enlightenment stupa in Maryland was built and consecrated in 1988.[32][33]

In 1991, a stupa peace park in Maryland containing all 8 types of stupas, representing the 8 great deeds of the Buddha, was completed. The central 18 foot long life stupa in the park is dedicated to the long life of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.[34]

In 1995, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche gave Jetsunma a relic from Terton Migyur Dorje, which is now housed in the 38 foot tall Migyur Dorje Stupa in Maryland.[35][36] Stupas housing similar relics built worldwide are reputed to cause spontaneous healing from mental and physical afflictions by those who circumambulate with faith. This particular stupa is dedicated to the eradication of diseases for which there is no known cure.

The most recent is the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona, completed and consecrated in 2004.[37]

[edit] Arrest

In 1998, a Mirabella Magazine article entitled "Bad Karma" reported that Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo was arrested for the assault on two monastics.[38][39][40] The Maryland state's attorney's office confirmed her 1996 arrest for the assault. Two years later, a former Washington Post reporter wrote The Buddha from Brooklyn interviewing Jetsunma and many current and former students. The book describes both the assault and the arrest.[41]

[edit] Salary and financial issues

Initially Jetsunma was given a yearly stipend of $24,000 a year. After the departure of her husband Michael Burroughs in 1991, this was increased to $36,000 a year,[42] in addition to two houses, a yearly beach trip, and other gifts. According to KPC's former CPA, students also pay the self-employment taxes on her salary for her, cover her family's health insurance, and pay for the cost of cleaning her swimming pool.[43] From 1992 onward her salary was increased to $100,000 a year.[44][45] This runs Kunzang Palyul Choling at a serious deficit.[46] Her CPA expressed concern over Jetsunma profiting from a non-profit organization.[47]

[edit] Monastery

Monks and nuns are asked to pay $300 a month rent for their lodgings as well as tithe to the temple, which in most cases requires them to work outside full-time jobs.[48] Most Buddhist lamas use the money they receive to support their monks and nuns, and Jetsunma's own teachers live frugally.[49] Penor Rinpoche wrote Jetsunma a letter in 1996 demanding that she stop calling herself a Buddha and make her monks and nuns her first priority.[50]

[edit] Consorts

Following her separation from Michael Burroughs in 1991, Jetsunma had a series of consorts.[51] First a woman who was her personal trainer,[52] and then a devoted student and construction worker in his mid 20s.[53] Once her divorce from Michael finalized in 1992, Jetsunma hosted a controversial divorce party where she had her students create an effigy of Michael, stab it with knives, throw it into the driveway, and run over it in their cars, horrifying the Tibetans in attendance.[54][55]

In 1993 she married a 23 year old musician who helped her start Sky Dancer, a new age Buddhist rock band with whom she recorded Invocation (see discography below).[56] Following her separation from him, in 1996 she approached a married long-term student who opted not to be her consort as it would be confusing to his children. She wrote the poem "War Cry" (below)[57] in response and advised him to separate from his wife.[58] In the summer of 1996, she found a young Native American shaman.[59]

[edit] Poetry

Jetsunma has also written Buddhist poetry, such as this excerpt from her poem "War Cry":[60]

Bitch,
I have seen you.
I have heard your voice.
I have smelt your smell.
I have lived
And died with you
I know your name...
Samsara.

Bitch,
whore,
Whatever garment you wear
I will know you.
Your smile is no seduction
To me
I know you.

You will appear
In lovely forms,
Seductive, caressing, singing songs
Filled with promises.
It is then I will appear
Far more beautiful than you

Adorned with garments
Of pure aspiration
Of pure bliss.
From my mouth will come
The ambrosia of Dharma....

[edit] Discography

[edit] Related organizations

[edit] Palyul Productions

Palyul Productions extensively records Jetsunma's teachings with the intent to preserve and disseminate Palyul teachings.[61]

[edit] Buddhist Relief

Alyce established Buddhist Relief, a disaster relief organization in response to the 2005 hurricane Katrina New Orleans disaster. The organization is currently focused on supporting the efforts in Burma as a result of military action against monastics.[62]

[edit] Tara's Babies

The Tara's Babies animal sanctuary was founded in 2005 to rescue the many animals abandoned during the hurricane Katrina evacuation.[63] Initially caring for 130 dogs, the sanctuary is set in 148 acres of former ranch land nestled in the 3 million acre Tonto National Forest near Payson, Arizona. It has rescued many abandoned and abused dogs and cats through shelter, adoption, and foster care.

[edit] Garuda Aviary

The Garuda Aviary in Poolesville, Maryland was founded by Jetsunma and has rescued macaws and many other neglected and abused parrots.[64]

[edit] Previous related organizations

[edit] Ladyworks

A hair care product line sold in The Sharper Image with Jetsunma as the sole shareholder. In 1996 Ladyworks created a million-dollar infomercial for the products featuring Jetsunma.[65][66] The company stopped all operations in 1997, $650,000 in debt.[67]

[edit] Skydancer

Jetsunma sang the lead vocal in Skydancer, a New Age rock group founded by Jetsunma's former husband and musician.[68][69] After a few performances the band disbanded.

[edit] Tara Studios

Tara Studios, producing small Buddhist statues, was founded in 1991 with the hopes to financially support KPC's monks and nuns. After one nun invested her remaining trust fund of $80,000, the company floundered and is now defunct.[70][71]

[edit] Chocolate Passion

A dessert company formed in 1992 also in hopes to financially support KPC's monks and nuns.[72] After some initial good press the company was abandoned.

[edit] Ani's Ink

A small typesetting business predicted to be a "sure thing" by Jetsunma left behind a crippling debt.[73]

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Kunzang Palyul Chöling [1]
  2. ^ Tibet in Australia [2]
  3. ^ Sherrill, Martha. The Buddha From Brooklyn, Random House 2000, pg 122
  4. ^ Sherrill, Martha. The Buddha From Brooklyn, Random House (c)2000, pg 44
  5. ^ Blythe, Will. "Bad Karma," Mirabella Magazine 1998, pg 111
  6. ^ Sherrill, pg 49
  7. ^ Sherrill, pg 54
  8. ^ Blythe, pg 111
  9. ^ Sherrill, pg 91
  10. ^ Pico Iyer, "The Price of Faith," Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Summer 200, pg 81
  11. ^ Sherrill, pg 55
  12. ^ Blythe, pg 111
  13. ^ Sherrill, pg 55
  14. ^ What is Enlightenment magazine, Fall-Winter 1999
  15. ^ Sherrill, pg 58
  16. ^ Blythe, pg 111
  17. ^ Sherrill, pg 54
  18. ^ Blythe, pg 111
  19. ^ Oldenburg, Dan. "The Unexpected Incarnation In Poolesville, Buddhists Exalt Catherine Burroughs" in The Washington Post, Sep 26, 1988
  20. ^ Sherrill, Martha. "Women of the Year," Ms Magazine, January/February 1989 Vol. XVII Nos. 7 & 8.
  21. ^ Milestones: Time Magazine, October 10, 1988 Vol. 132 No. 15
  22. ^ Sherrill, Martha. "Where the Lamas Let Their Hair Down Peace, Love & Squirting Cameras At a Joyful Buddhist Barbecue," Washington Post, Jun 5, 1995
  23. ^ Pico Iyer, "The Price of Faith," Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Summer 200, pg 86
  24. ^ Sherrill, pg 375
  25. ^ Sherrill, Martha. "The Buddha from Poolesville," Washington Post, Apr 16, 2000
  26. ^ Johnson, Allie. "Trouble in Shangri-La," Kansas City - News, Apr 22, 2004
  27. ^ Sherrill, pg 313
  28. ^ Crystals at Jetsunma's center in Maryland
  29. ^ Nyingma.com. Kunzang Palyul Chöling, Feb 16, 2007
  30. ^ Iyer, pg 84
  31. ^ Sherrill, Martha. "Tough Town, Sad Times. So Why Are These People Smiling?" The Washington Post, May 17, 1995
  32. ^ Kunzang Palyul Chöling. Stupas of Maryland
  33. ^ Sherrill, pg 20
  34. ^ Sherrill, pg 235
  35. ^ Montgomery Gazette, August 27, 1997
  36. ^ Sherrill, pg 114
  37. ^ Ganzer, Tony. A piece of "Spiritual Technology", May 24, 2007
  38. ^ Iyer, pg 80
  39. ^ Sherrill, pg 344
  40. ^ Blythe, pg 113
  41. ^ Sherrill, The Buddha From Brooklyn, p 239
  42. ^ Sherrill, pg 229
  43. ^ Blythe, Will. "Bad Karma," Mirabella Magazine January 1998, pg 112
  44. ^ Sherrill, pg 236
  45. ^ Blythe, pg 112
  46. ^ Blythe, pg 112
  47. ^ Blythe, pg 112
  48. ^ Blythe, pg 112
  49. ^ Sherrill, pg 263
  50. ^ Blythe, pg 113
  51. ^ Iyer, pg 80, 84
  52. ^ Sherrill, pg 211
  53. ^ Sherrill, pg 228
  54. ^ Sherrill, pg 244
  55. ^ Blythe, pg 113
  56. ^ Sherrill, pg 239
  57. ^ Sherrill, pg 297
  58. ^ Sherrill, pg 317
  59. ^ Sherrill, pg 329
  60. ^ Sherrill, The Buddha From Brooklyn, Random House, 2000. pp 294-297.
  61. ^ Palyul Productions.
  62. ^ KPC Buddhist Relief.
  63. ^ Arizona Republic, October 5, 2005
  64. ^ Montgomery Gazette, November 28, 2007
  65. ^ Sherrill, pg 182
  66. ^ Blythe, pg 112
  67. ^ Sherrill, pg 375
  68. ^ Brace, Eric. "Limelight," Washington Post, Feb 23, 1992
  69. ^ Sherrill, pg 79
  70. ^ Sherrill, pg 74
  71. ^ Sherrill, pg 78
  72. ^ Sugarman, Carole. "The Chocolate Passion Of Poolesville's Buddhists," Washington Post, Oct 21, 1992
  73. ^ Sherrill, pg 79

[edit] References

  • Brace, Eric. "Limelight," Washington Post, Feb 23, 1992
  • Blythe, Will. "Bad Karma," Mirabella Magazine, 1998.
  • Cohen, Andrew. "What's the Relationship Between Emptiness and Beautiful Nails?", ""What is Enlightenment Magazine, Fall/Winter 1990
  • Iyer, Pico. "The Price of Faith," Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Summer 2000.
  • MacKenzie, Vicki. Reborn in the West. HarperCollins, 1997, ISBN 0-7225-3443-4
  • Oldenburg, Dan. "The Unexpected Incarnation In Poolesville, Buddhists Exalt Catherine Burroughs" in The Washington Post, Sep 26, 1988
  • Sherrill, Martha. "Women of the Year," Ms Magazine, January/February 1989 Vol. XVII Nos. 7 & 8.
  • Sherrill, Martha. "Tough Town, Sad Times. So Why Are These People Smiling?" The Washington Post, May 17, 1995
  • Sherrill, Martha. "Where the Lamas Let Their Hair Down Peace, Love & Squirting Cameras At a Joyful Buddhist Barbecue," Washington Post, Jun 5, 1995
  • Sherrill, Martha. "The Buddha from Poolesville," Washington Post, Apr 16, 2000
  • Sherrill, Martha. The Buddha from Brooklyn, Random House 2000, ISBN 0-679-45275-3

[edit] Further reading

  • Bloom, Pamela. Buddhist Acts of Compassion, Conari Press, 2000. ISBN 1-573-24523-2
  • Coleman, James William. The New Buddhism: The Western Transformation of an Ancient Tradition, Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN 0-195-15241-7
  • Corless, Roger. The Vision of Buddhism: The Space Under the Tree, Paragon House, 1989. ISBN 1-557-78200-8
  • Havnevik, Hanna. Tibetan Buddhist Nuns: History, Cultural Norms, and Social Reality, A Scandinavian University Press Publication, 1989. ISBN 8-200-02846-1
  • Hyolmo, Tsering Wangdhi Lhoba. Buddhist Masters, publisher unknown, 2000.
  • Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo. The Practice of Generosity, publisher unknown, Ahkön Norbu Lhamo, 1991.
  • Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. Stabilizing the Mind. Palyul Press, 2005, ISBN 1-4116-6102-8
  • Kelly, Marcia and Jack. The Whole Heaven Catalog: A Resource Guide to Products, Services, Arts, Crafts & Festivals of Religious, Spiritual, & Cooperative Communities, Random House, 1998. ISBN 0-609-80120-1 (relevance?)
  • Khandro, Sangye. The Lives and Liberation of Princess Mandarava: The Indian Consort of Padmasambhava, Wisdom Publications, 1998. ISBN 0-861-71144-0; ISBN 978-0861711444
  • Morreale, Don. The Complete Guide to Buddhist America, Shambhala, 1998. ISBN 1570622701
  • Maguire, Jack. Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices, Atria, 2001. ISBN 0-671-04188-6
  • Miller, Timothy. America's Alternative Religions, State University of New York Press, 1995. ISBN 0-791-42398-0
  • Shermer, Michael. How We Believe: Science, Skepticism, and the Search for God, Holt Paperbacks, 2003. ISBN 0-805-07479-1
  • Paine, Jeffrey. Re-Enchantment: Tibetan Buddhism Comes To The West, publisher unknown, 2004. ISBN 0-393-32626-8
  • Prebish, Charles S. and Kenneth Kenichi Tanaka. The Faces of Buddhism in America, University of California Press, 1998. ISBN 0-520-21301-7
  • Zangpo, Ven. Tsering Lama Jamapal, translated by Sangye Khandro. A Garden of Immortal Wish-Fulfilling Trees: the Palyul Tradition of Nyingmapa, Snow Lion Publications, 1988. ISBN 0-937938-64-5
  • The Truth: About the Five Primary Religions and the Seven Rules of Any Good Religion. The Oracle Institute, 2005. ISBN 0-977-39290-2
  • Encyclopedia of Women And Religion in North America. Edited by Rosemary Skinner Keller, Rosemary Radford Ruether, and Marie Cantlon, Indiana University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-253-34688-6
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