Interviewee Profile

Name: Jangchup Palmo, Naljorma
(Alias: No)

Gender: Female

Interview Age: 71

Date of Birth: 1943

Birthplace: Namru, Utsang, Tibet

Year Left Tibet: N/A

Profession: N/A

Monk/Nun: No

Political Prisoner: Yes

Interview Details

Interview No.: 13C - Part 2

Date: 2014-05-12

Language: Tibetan

Location: Eugene, Oregon, United States

Categories: Buddhist Traditions

Keywords: Buddhist beliefs

Summary:

Naljorma Jangchup Palmo shares her dedication to religious practice. At the age of 13 she and her family received special teachings called Lamday 'Path and its Fruit' from the Sakya Gongma Rinpoche. She learned about cause and effect and the need for compassion. Realizing that she was unable to rid herself of hatred, she devoted herself to the Rinpoche and the Buddha dharma in order gain compassion and enlightenment in this lifetime. She gives an explanation of the ngondro 'preliminary teachings' that she received and their importance.

Naljorma Jangchup Palmo performed prostrations around Mt. Kailash at age 17 and underwent great physical difficulties on the journey. The full-body prostrations were done to purify oneself and she focused on her intentions to overcome the hardships involved. She describes the ritual of chod and her experience of practicing at one hundred cemeteries as her teacher instructed.

Naljorma Jangchup Palmo later married and had seven children, but continued her spiritual practice and was able to utilize what she had gained from her earlier efforts in her daily life. She founded a Peace Center to help others cultivate the kindness of the mind. She believes that with strong effort, a good teacher and meditation, anyone can develop their Buddhist nature. She explains that understanding the nature of one's mind will release one from suffering. In this way she has not suffered from old age or illness because she does not associate herself with it.

Interview Team:

  • Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
  • Anonymous (Interpreter)
  • Tony Sondag (Videographer)
Interview Video

Link: Watch On Youtube

Topic: Interview with Naljorma Jangchup Palmo on 5/12/2014

Length: 01:36:04


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