Birth name: Amanda Simons
Lama’s name: Venerable Acharya Lama Wongmo
Refuge name: Padma Wongmo Tso
Accreditation Title: Vajra Yoga Practitioner Degree

Buddhist background: Wongmo Lama has been a student of His Eminence Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche for eight years and a Dharma student and practitioner in general for eleven years. Since first taking refuge, she has applied herself to making great effort to learn, contemplate, and meditate the sacred Dharma, committing herself completely to that effort in 2007 when she moved to the Dzogchen Retreat Center. During the eight years she has been a student of Khenpo Rinpoche, she has attended all Dzogchen Lineage Internships in America, including the 2011 Internship in Russia, as well as most shorter retreats that Rinpoche has given. She has traveled with Rinpoche around the US, Asia, Russia, and Europe as his student and attendant.

Background of Lama authorization: Though being the youngest Lama authorized by Rinpoche, Wongmo Lama has remained in Rinpoche’s presence in his devoted service and as a devoted student. As Rinpoche transmits a vast majority of his teachings in every day life as well as from the throne, Wongmo Lama has had the unique opportunity to not only attend to Rinpoche’s retreat teachings, but also to receive the invaluable life experience that Rinpoche transmits when relating personally with students and during daily activities.

Responsibilities and activities: Since 2008, Wongmo Lama has been the personal attendant to Khenpo Rinpoche, assisting him in his teachings and activities. Primarily she has maintained real-time transcriptions of his teachings and assists in translation and editing projects. She has also kept record of Rinpoche’s activities by maintaining photo and video documentation.

Dharma goals and aspirations: Wongmo Lama has dedicated her life to the promulgation of the Buddha Dharma in general and specifically to the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage. Specifically, her wish is to create a Dzogchen Dharma University in the West where Dharma students from around the world may apply themselves full time to learning, contemplation, and meditation on Dharma throughout the year.

Contact

Dzogchen Retreat Center, OR, United States
dzogchenretreatcenter@gmail.com
619-817-8255