May 13
Tuesday
Bhikshuni Pema Chödrön appointed Abbess of Gampo Abbey
An excerpt from the Gampo Abbey May 2025 Newsletter.
Our first Abbot, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (1933-2023), served at the request of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche for many years until his passing in 2023, and Ani Pema has been our Principal Teacher for all those years.
Today, we are very pleased to share some exceptionally good news. Bhiksunni Pema Chödrön has agreed to be the Abbess of Gampo Abbey. She has a vision for moving forward, keeping the monastic tradition alive in the Western world, and we are very pleased.
After serving the community for over forty years as Principal Teacher, Ani Pema will become our Abbess. Following our first Abbot, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, who died in 2023, Ani Pema says she is very excited to take this new role.
Watch the video to see her comments on the appointment.
To honour her appointment, we have initiated a fund to support the future operations of Gampo Abbey and fulfill her vision going forward called Honouring Abbess Pema Chödrön.
If you would like to link your karmic path and show your support for our new Abbess, you can do that below.
Entries filed under Community Articles
Claudia Chender Wins Election – HIGHLIGHT
Canadian leader raised in the Shambhala Buddhist community wins a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by editors of the Shambhala Times This week in Halifax, Claudia Chender, a lifelong Shambhala Community member, was elected as a New Democratic Party (NDP) representative to the provincial legislature ... continuePosted June 8, 2017 by CGH
European Donor Group – HIGHLIGHT
Members of the European Donor Group gather in Bavaria, Germany by Hermien Rodenburg At the end of April, the European Donor Group (EDG) got a taste of the Bavarian Alps in Germany. We met there at the family home of Veronika Bauer, the current chair of the EDG. So, ... continuePosted June 3, 2017 by fredvanwelsem
From Ukraine to Vermont 2 – HIGHLIGHT
The Journey of a Shambhala Teen, Part Two of Two by Cara Thornley Shambhalian teen Dali Kapanadze was already experiencing a major life changing event, the Ukranian Revolution of 2013, in which she was participating with the permission and support of her parents. The second and more ... continuePosted May 31, 2017 by CGH
From Ukraine to Vermont 1 – HIGHLIGHT
The Journey of a Shambhala Teen, Part One of Two by Cara Thornley How Dali Kapanadze got from Ukraine to Vermont is a story of auspicious coincidence, parental aspirations, civil unrest, untimely death, Dali’s inspiration, and immense sangha generosity taking the form of both financial and personal support. In ... continuePosted May 29, 2017 by CGH
The Rough Edges of Basic Goodness – HIGHLIGHT
Contemplating inclusiveness, social difference, and our organization’s prevailing culture by Michaela McCormick The Portland Shambhala Center’s Listening Team, led by Mark Douglass, met recently to review the latest round of its interviews of a wide variety of our past and present members to learn the ways in which ... continuePosted May 23, 2017 by CGH
Peace Now! – HIGHLIGHT
Preparations for a symposium with the Sakyong in Vienna by Michael Anderson Taste might be the word best attributable to a Viennese evening of food, drink, and cultural performance. That was indeed the case on the evening of May 5th, as local sangha and guests of the Vienna ... continuePosted May 19, 2017 by Michael
More Visitors for the Gesar Centre – HIGHLIGHT
An update of progress on Gesar Fund projects and community building near Yushu by Gesar Fund staff members As in 2015-2016 the past winter of 2016-2017 was extremely severe on the altiplano of Yushu. Especially for the elderly, it was possible to leave the house only in the last ... continuePosted May 15, 2017 by CGH
Growing Enlightened Society – HIGHLIGHT
A new project in organic gardening and permaculture methods at Ziji Garden by Audrey Dallamaggiore and Simon Bertin Last November, Dechen Chöling hosted an Enlightened Society Assembly. During this ten-day program, participants were offered the chance to apply the teachings to a practical project around the land center: they ... continuePosted May 1, 2017 by Audrey Dallamaggiore
Strong Ground for Growing Brave – HIGHLIGHT
An invitation to join in community conversations about parenting, and about including children in Shambhala life and culture by Rebekka Henriksen “We are actually building a Buddhist world so that our children can grow up in an atmosphere that is right and good. It’s revolutionary and represents a fantastic ... continuePosted April 25, 2017 by CGH
Shambhala Household Experiment – HIGHLIGHT
Reflections on the household culture and Shambhala experience of Boulder’s Marpa House by Michael Schneeweis While many captivating themes run through the Shambhala teachings, the notion of cultivating a wakeful household stands out as a particularly important aspect of the overall vision of our lineage. I feel incredibly ... continuePosted April 9, 2017 by CGH
I Can Be Clearly Now – HIGHLIGHT
A story about learning to see, and be, with directness and true clarity by Lisa Freedman “I’m going to the Met tomorrow. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I will be seeing it for the first time.” A tweed-jacketed gentleman winked as he said this, and stepped out ... continuePosted March 28, 2017 by CGH
More Motorcyle Meditations – HIGHLIGHT
Pam Linnell, who retires this year from Karmê Chöling, shares a few thoughts about the connection between motorcycle riding and meditation, and her service as Chagdzo at KCL. interview by Cara Thornley Q. Did you have something you would describe as “The Most Memorable Bike Ride” you have ... continuePosted March 11, 2017 by CGH
Motorcycle Meditations – HIGHLIGHT
After 10 years of service Pam Linnell retires this year from Karmê Chöling Meditation Center. She also “retired” in 2015 from 42 years of riding a motorcycle: 20 years as a passenger on her husband’s bike and 22 years of riding her own bike. interview by Cara ... continuePosted March 9, 2017 by CGH
Sitting with Dignity – HIGHLIGHT
Just in time for Shambhala Day celebrations at many centers this coming weekend, some fresh ideas about setting up the shrine room to enhance participation for those who sit in chairs by Stefan Carmien Part of the mission of the working group for accessibility and disability is to ... continuePosted March 3, 2017 by CGH
Celebrating Candlin – HIGHLIGHT
Candlin Dobbs leaves her post with the Shambhala Database, moving into a well-earned retirement by John David Smith Candlin worked for Shambhala for about eleven years, making many contributions. Initially, she was hired to head the Shambhala Database (SDB) implementation project, to call each North American center and ... continuePosted February 7, 2017 by CGH
RSS feed for the Community Articles category
View all posts from authors in Community Articles: jillian_johnson
