Ven. Lama Jigme Chokyi Lodro

Venerable Lama Jigme Chokyi Lodro is the head of the Palyul Foundation of Canada and Orgyan Osal Cho Dzong Buddhist Temple and Retreat Centre. Born in Niagara Falls in 1956, Lama Jigme first met Venerable Peling Tulku Rinpoche in 1976 and became a Buddhist that same year. Since that time, he has studied and practiced the Buddhist path with Peling Rinpoche, becoming his personal assistant and taking novice vows in 1980, monks vows in 1988 and then full ordination (Bikkshu) from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in India in 1995. He has received extensive and complete teachings from Peling Rinpoche, as well as many important cycles of initiation from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche including the Nam Cho, Long Chen Nying Thig and Nying Thig Yab Zhi, the Nyingma Kama and the Rinchen Terdzod. In addition to assisting Rinpoche and managing the retreat centre for the past 34 years, Lama Jigme has undertaken many long and short retreats of several deities, covering the four levels of tantra. Peling Rinpoche, confident in the depth of Lama Jigme’s practice and understanding of the Dharma, gave him the title Dharma Acharya and permission to teach.

Lama Jigme, who is is well known and appreciated for his strong devotion, discipline and humility, assumed responsibility for the Palyul Foundation of Canada and Orgyan Osal Cho Dzong upon Peling Rinpoche’s parinirvana in May 2009.

Before passing away, Peling Rinpoche wrote a letter to the Heart Sons of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche naming Lama Jigme as his heart son and Dharma heir.  On August 21, 2010 Their Eminences Khentrul Gyangkhang and Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoches, with the authorization of His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, enthroned Lama Jigme as Peling Rinpoche’s Regent and formally authorized him to continue the enlightened activities of the late Peling Rinpoche.

Long Life Prayer for Ven. Lama Jigme Chokyi Lodro written by His Eminence Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche