The Journey of a Modern Day Yogini
Early Years – The Call of the Dharma
Chöying Khandro was born in Nagano, Japan, an area surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains. As a child, she was drawn to the Buddhist practices and rituals performed in her local area as well as to the elegant disciplines of the Geisha. Her favorite things to do were to read the biographies of great beings and to lie on the grass of her father's orchard gazing up at the sky.
In Khandro-la's youth, Zen and existential philosophy influenced her but Khandro-la's yearning for a deep understanding of Buddhism led her to study with Professor Akira Hirakama, one of the most revered Buddhologists of the time, at the prestigious Waseda University.
Amongst many other topics, Khandro-la studied Pali, Sanskrit, and classical Chinese scriptures. The subject of her thesis was 'Emptiness - Chandrakirti's interpretation of Nagarjuna'. Her fascination with gaining insight into and realization of Emptiness beyond philosophical understanding led her to India to study with great Tibetan masters who had fled Tibet.
Journey to India and Early Studies
In early 1976, through Professor Samdong Rinpoche, Khandro-la traveled to Sarnath, India. At the Central University of Higher Tibetan Studies, which had not yet permitted female students, she took private lessons. Being neither a monk, nun, Tibetan, nor westerner with connections, this was often lonely yet joyful, learning and meditating to her heart's content.
Birth of her Son and Life Changes
Khandro-la's path led her to Australia, where her son Mani was born at Nambour Hospital. Though initially feeling this might end her spiritual journey, it became a new beginning. As a single mother, she later moved to the United States, arriving at San Francisco Airport in 1988 with minimal possessions but carrying precious Tibetan texts.
Meeting with her Root Guru
In 1993, Khandro-la met her root teacher, Khalkha Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche. She received rare empowerments and transmissions of the Ear-Whispered Lineage. This meeting transformed her practice and dedication to dharma profoundly.
Loss and Transformation
The sudden loss of her sixteen-year-old son Mani in 2003 led Khandro-la through a deeply transformative process. This profound loss deepened her understanding of impermanence and suffering, enhancing her practice with a more tender heart.
The 108 Spring Wandering Retreat
In 2011, Khandro-la fulfilled a significant dream: the 108 Spring Wandering Retreat in Mongolia. Despite its challenges, this experience brought her deep confidence and certainty in dharma practice.
Three Year Retreat and Present Work
From 2013 to 2016, Khandro-la completed a three-and-a-half-year solitary retreat in Oregon. In 2017, she founded "DAKINI'S WHISPER," bringing ancient wisdom to modern practitioners. Currently residing near Eugene, Oregon, she leads workshops, courses, and retreats, sharing the precious lineage teachings she has received.
Khandro-la's journey continues to exemplify the integration of ancient wisdom with modern life, serving as an inspiration to practitioners worldwide. Her story embodies the profound truth that every experience, including life's greatest challenges, can serve as a path to awakening.