Bhiksuni Lama Karma Droupgyu Wangmo

France

Bhiksuni Lama Karma Droupgyu Wangmo

France

Since 1993, the Venerable has lived in Dhagpo Kundreul Ling Monastery in Biollet, France. During this period, she cultivated her spiritual development with 7 years in retreat as a recluse.

She began studying Chinese Medicine at the age of 20, and initially intended to set up her Chinese Medical practice in Paris. However, by the time she completed her retreats, she devoted her life to Buddhist chaplaincy in the French correctional system, particularly serving inmates who were from former-French colonies where Buddhism is practiced. Actually, she is the first national Buddhist prison chaplain.

She represents her congregation, from the Kagyupa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, as an administrator with the Buddhist Union of France (UBF), and also serves as the Coordinator of 20 Buddhist Chaplains at 40 municipal prisons.

She received the French national medal of honor, the Medal of the Knights of the National Order of Merit.

Bhiksuni Lama Karma Droupgyu Wangmo states, "Whenever you are completely present---in any situation---there's an immense joy connected with being in the heart of the moment," a gift that she receives from Prison Chaplaincy.