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
Expressing Love of Food in Jewellery – HIGHLIGHT
Berkeley Brown reflects on the jewellery she creates on the occasion of her first solo exhibition in Halifax, titled “Whisked Away.” The value of food in our society is fascinating; I am intrigued by the way our relationship to it allows food to transcend its ... continuePosted November 28, 2009 by
Introducing “Shambhala at the Movies” – HIGHLIGHT
A new column by Angela Pressburger “I think that a film should have a good story, a clear story, and it should have, if possible, something which is probably the most difficult thing – it should have a little bit of magic….Magic being untouchable ... continuePosted November 24, 2009 by
Celebrating Our Warrior – HIGHLIGHT
By Jennifer Holder, photos courtesy of Paulette Graf and Sascha Ascher When asked how she would like to mark her retirement as Warrior of the New York Center, Irene Woodard said she wanted to tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit on the Art of the ... continuePosted November 23, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
A Weethun at Casa Werma – HIGHLIGHT
By Brus Westby Jean and I have just returned to our home in Bucerias in Nayarit, Mexico, from a magical tour of San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, and Patzcuaro, in Michoacan. First we were invited to give talks at the Shambhala Center ... continuePosted November 20, 2009 by Brus Westby
Once upon a time at Dechen Choling… – HIGHLIGHT
Rarely is there a time when people come to Dechen Choling and think: what a horrible place! People don’t wonder why it is called “Dharma Place of Great Bliss” because of it’s beautiful rolling landscape. And trees…we have the best trees in the world! But it ... continuePosted November 19, 2009 by Zane Edwards
Touching the Earth, France : 2009 Activities Report
For the group Toucher la Terre, France, the year 2009 was marked by the actual launch of its activities, as the group initiated projects and provided technical assistance for their implementation. continuePosted November 17, 2009 by Rinchen Dug Pamo
The Power of Chapstick – HIGHLIGHT
By Lois Lungta, on-the-scene reporter in Halifax Ah, the many uses of chapstick. Last night, Stuart Lord (our new president of Naropa University) hosted a dinner for alumni. On each table were little offerings: pens, notepads, and bumper stickers branded with Naropa insignia. And chapstick. Little ... continuePosted November 13, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Taking Our Seats – HIGHLIGHT
By Lois Lungta, on-the-scene blogger in Halifax It is fascinating to experience the full richness of Shambhala. The Vidyadhara once described the physical environment of Shambhala as dripping with gold and jewels, and being here for this week of celebration is actually an experience of this. ... continuePosted November 11, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Our Sakyong’s Heart – HIGHLIGHT
Yes, cybermandala, I am awake and writing at 4:15am. The city is dark and the only ones up and about in the lobby are the kasung, preparing for the arrival of His Eminence. I will be brief, but as many of you rouse yourselves at ... continuePosted November 10, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Dawning Delegates – HIGHLIGHT
By Lois Lungta, on-the-scene blogger in Halifax On my second trip to the lobby this morning, I encountered the delegates from Gampo Abbey. I have always thought of my pre-dawn waking habits as weird, or unconventional, but upon encountering cheerful faces and maroon robes at that ... continuePosted November 9, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Dreaming Shambhala – HIGHLIGHT
By Lois Lungta, on-the-scene blogger in Halifax I awoke this morning contemplating dreams. The ones I had awaken from, the ones I live, the ones that guide my life and my choices. Dreams are like navigating with an internal compass – the little piece of metal ... continuePosted November 8, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Good Morning Halifax! – HIGHLIGHT
Early Morning, November 7, 2009 By Lois Lungta, on-the-scene blogger The first thing I did this morning was an act of economic treason. Well, according to my country of birth it may be considered patriotism, but since I consider myself a citizen of a global community of ... continuePosted November 7, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
A Ratio of One-to-One Fun – HIGHLIGHT
Does summer and Sun Camp feel like leaves of memory, falling off the trees? To revive the fun, here’s a recollection of what happened, what didn’t happen, and what just was. By Ben Williams Another year marches by at the Shambhala Sun Summer Camp where 31 ... continuePosted November 4, 2009 by Ben Williams
Tweeting Shambhala – HIGHLIGHT
Using the Power of the Internet to Radiate Basic Goodness By Jennifer Holder Early this year, my boss at the book publishing company where I worked sat me down in front of Twitter and Facebook and gave me the pith instruction on how the modern ... continuePosted November 3, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
Traveling the Yanas Through Congress – HIGHLIGHT
The story of the evolution of Shambhala Congress. Part Two of Jennifer Holder’s interview with Amy Conway. Click here for Part One: A Precious Exchange. Shambhala has held three Congresses: the first in November of 2003, the second in February of 2005 and the third in ... continuePosted November 1, 2009 by Jennifer Holder
RSS feed for the Community Articles category
View all posts from authors in Community Articles: jillian_johnson