Tsöndru Khyung Tso Ordained as Parma Rabjung

Welcome to Tsöndru Khyung Tso, the newest life monastic at Gampo Abbey!

Tsöndru Khyung Tso became the newest life monastic at Gampo Abbey on July 1, 2018. In the presence of the life monastic community, she took her Parma Rabjung ordination vow from Karma Lodro Kalsang, the Abbey’s preceptor.

Khyung Tso’s spiritual path began with her practice as an energy worker. She felt a strong desire to develop stability through shamatha and vipashyana, and she attended the first Shambhala Training Level at the Toronto Shambhala Center. After the program, she was not sure whether Shambhala was the right path for her, but Shastri Jill Amadio encouraged her to attend an upcoming Shambhala Meditation weekthun with Shastri Tom Bell. This week-long meditation program turned out to be exactly what she was looking for – she felt a strong connection to both Shambhala Meditation and the Shambhala Buddhist path as a whole.

Over the next several years, Khyung Tso progressed further on the Shambhala Path, eventually enrolling in Mukpo Institute at Karme Choling in 2016. At every stage of her journey, she felt a stronger and stronger yearning to align her life with the Dharma. Immediately after Mukpo Institute, she came to Gampo Abbey to participate in the Warriors Who Are Fearless monastic residency. It was clear to her that this was a turning point in her path: monastic life was the clearest manifestation of the teachings she had experienced so far.

Khyung Tso feels inspired that a commitment to monasticism will help her live a life of service to the Dharma. She appreciates the preciousness of her human birth and is grateful to be able to use it to benefit others. As she puts it, “We practice every day, not just for ourselves, but for everyone.”

After at least one year of being a Parma Rabjung, Khyung Tso may request Getsulma (novice) ordination from Gampo Abbey’s abbot, Thrangu Rinpoche.   

Please join us in welcoming Khyung Tso to the Shambhala Monastic Order. Ki Ki So So!