I’ve been reading The Buddha from Brooklyn by Martha Sherrill.
If you haven’t heard of it I’m not surprised.
It tells the story of Jetsunma Ahkön Norbu Lhamo (aka Alyce Louise Zeoli aka Alyce Cassara aka Catharine Burroughs), recognized by Holiness Penor Rinpoche (Throne holder of the Palyul Lineage and former Supreme Head of the Nyingma, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism) as the reincarnation of Ahkön Lhamo who cofounded the Palyul lineage with her brother Kunzang Sherab in the 17th century.
She is also recognized by Orgyen Kusum Lingpa as an emanation of White Tara and of Lhacham Mandarawa, the Indian spiritual consort of Padmasambhava, the tantric master who established the Buddha’s teaching in Tibet.
She is the first Western woman to be recognized and enthroned by Tibetan lamas as a tulku (an enlightened teacher who reincarnates in whatever form can most benefit all beings) who enjoys manicures, has married four times, and has three children.
Kunzang Palyul Chöling (KPC), the Buddhist center that Jestsunma runs, is on 65 acres in in Poolesville, MD and includes walking trails, meditation gardens, a peace park with wonderful walking trails, meditation benches, gardens and 28 consecrated stupas.
I’ve only read Part I so far and don’t know what to think so far. How can someone who has been divorced so many times be considered an enlightened being?
I’ll write more as I get further into this The Buddha from Brooklyn.
Click here to read an excerpt from Random House.
