Lama Karma Chötso began her study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in 1982 when she met Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche in New York City. She was fortunate enough to take teachings and empowerments not only from Kalu Rinpoche but also from His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and the Very Venerable Lama Norlha Rinpoche, all three of whom remain her closest teachers. Lama Karma Chötso was ordained as a novice Buddhist nun by Kalu Rinpoche in 1986 prior to entering the traditional three-year, three-month retreat at Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery in upstate New York. After completing the retreat, practicing meditation in strict seclusion, she added to her training by learning Tibetan painting, traveling to India and Sikkim twice on pilgrimage and into Tibet on pilgrimage with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche in 1993 where she first met the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. She stayed in Nepal to study and practice for a few months before returning to the monastery in America. In November 1996, Lama Karma Chötso came to South Florida to prepare for Lama Norlha Rinpoche's first visit. At the end of his teachings, Rinpoche instructed her to stay in Florida and begin a center for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. When he returned in 1997, Lama Norlha Rinpoche found a center in Hollywood, Florida, with a small shrine room. Lama Karma Chötso raised funds to purchase land for a Lama Residence in El Portal in 2003 (with a small retreat house) and also teaches in centers she started in the Florida Keys and South Miami. During her time in South Florida, Lama Karma Chötso has given lectures at the Whole Life Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Sunshine Cathedral, Dania Library, St. Thomas University, Barry University, FIU, health centers and many other places. She has given blessings to the manatees at the Miami Seaquarium and the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. After having been a member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Council of Greater Hollywood for many years, she presently holds the position of President of that organization. She has been a Professional Volunteer Chaplain for Hospice Care of Broward County, assisting in the dying process and performing Buddhist death rituals for the deceased, and taught meditation and T'ai Chi to the inmates at Broward Correctional Facility from 1998 until 2004. |
