Understanding the feminine and the masculine principles, sexuality and conduct, honouring great female practitioners of the past and present in Vajrayana Buddhism and the celebrating the rise of the feminine - these are some of the topics addressed in this new podcast.
Marcia Dechen Wangmo speaks to buddhist masters, teachers and scholars to uncover the rich female wisdom that lies at the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism. This podcast is a continuation of a symposium of thirty-five women teachers led by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche that opened a dialogue across twenty sanghas in 2021. These teachings are available here on Prajna.
Learn more about Marcia's Work: Lotus Treasure, Rangjung Yeshe Publications
Marcia Dechen Wangmo speaks to buddhist masters, teachers and scholars to uncover the rich female wisdom that lies at the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism. This podcast is a continuation of a symposium of thirty-five women teachers led by Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche that opened a dialogue across twenty sanghas in 2021. These teachings are available here on Prajna.
Learn more about Marcia's Work: Lotus Treasure, Rangjung Yeshe Publications
Episode 2 - Sarah Jacoby on Sera Khandro, her life and how she inspires practitioners today
In this episode, Sarah Jacoby shares how she first became drawn to the extraordinary life of Sera Khandro and takes us on a captivating journey through her autobiography.
She offers thoughtful insight into the challenges Sera Khandro faced as a female practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism in the early 20th century—many of which still resonate with women in Tibetan Buddhist communities today.
Along the way, Sarah reads powerful excerpts from Sera Khandro’s own writings, giving us a rare glimpse into her inner world and spiritual depth, told in her own voice.
About Sarah Jacoby
Sarah Jacoby studies Asian Religions with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhism. She received her B.A. from Yale University, majoring in women's studies, and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia's Department of Religious Studies. She joined Northwestern University in 2009 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University. Her research interests include Indo-Tibetan Buddhist doctrine and ritual in practice, studies in gender and sexuality, Tibetan literature, autobiography studies, Buddhist revelation, the history of emotions, Buddhism in contemporary Tibet, and eastern Tibetan area studies.
She offers thoughtful insight into the challenges Sera Khandro faced as a female practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism in the early 20th century—many of which still resonate with women in Tibetan Buddhist communities today.
Along the way, Sarah reads powerful excerpts from Sera Khandro’s own writings, giving us a rare glimpse into her inner world and spiritual depth, told in her own voice.
About Sarah Jacoby
Sarah Jacoby studies Asian Religions with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhism. She received her B.A. from Yale University, majoring in women's studies, and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia's Department of Religious Studies. She joined Northwestern University in 2009 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University. Her research interests include Indo-Tibetan Buddhist doctrine and ritual in practice, studies in gender and sexuality, Tibetan literature, autobiography studies, Buddhist revelation, the history of emotions, Buddhism in contemporary Tibet, and eastern Tibetan area studies.
Episode 1 - Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo on empowering nuns, the female Togden lineage and the importance of living masters
In this first dynamic talk, Marcia Dechen Wangmo is joined by Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo. Jetsünma covers her deep aspiration that led her to intense practice and later, at the request of her guru Khamtrul Rinpoche, to start a nunnery. Jetsünma clearly elucidated topics such as the female togden lineage, giving agency to nuns, and overcoming challenges for training. She recalled who inspired her and gave precious advice for current lay women in Tibetan Buddhism.
About Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo
Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India which is home to over 100 Himalayan nuns. She is best known for having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat. In addition to her role as Founding Director of DGL Nunnery, Jetsunma is a Founding Member of the Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns, former President of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, and Founding Member of the Committee for Bhiksuni Ordination.
Links
Support Jetsünma's work
Treasuring the Feminine on Instagram
About Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo
Jetsünma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India which is home to over 100 Himalayan nuns. She is best known for having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat. In addition to her role as Founding Director of DGL Nunnery, Jetsunma is a Founding Member of the Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns, former President of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, and Founding Member of the Committee for Bhiksuni Ordination.
Links
Support Jetsünma's work
Treasuring the Feminine on Instagram