23 Facts About Ayu Khandro

Much of the information we have about Ayu Khandro comes from the oral commentary that she gave in person to Chogyal Namkhai Norbu in Dzongsa in 1951.

Ayu Khandro wrote her namthar, or spiritual biography, which was later published in Women of Wisdom by Tsultrim Allione.

Ayu Khandro met, and was taught by, many great masters of her day: Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul the First, Chokgyur Lingpa, Nyala Pema Dundul, Adzom Drukpa, Togden Rangrig and the ninth Tai Situpa, Pema Nyingche Wangpo.

Ayu Khandro led the life of a hidden yogini, spending a significant amount of her life in retreat or as a wandering chodma.

Ayu Khandro is reported to have lived to the age of 115.

Ayu Khandro was born during the winter of 1839 in Kham, Eastern Tibet, in the village of Dzong Trang.

Ayu Khandro joined his community at the age of seven.

Ayu Khandro grew up as the youngest in a family of three sons and four daughters; living a traditional Khampa lifestyle where the women looked after the animals and the men were traders.

Ayu Khandro's Aunt, Dronkyi, was a member of this community and lived in a cave near that of the Togden.

At the age of seven, in 1846, Ayu Khandro went to join them.

Ayu Khandro assisted them in retreat, bringing fire wood and water.

At the age of 13, Ayu Khandro received her first initiation, the Longsal Dorje Nyingpo.

On return to Togden Rangrig, Ayu Khandro dedicated herself to this practice.

Ayu Khandro stayed with her husband, who was kind and generous, for three years.

Yet, after this, Ayu Khandro fell ill to an undiagnosable illness and was in weakened health for the next two years.

Ayu Khandro then returned to the caves of Drag ka Yang Dzong, where she spent a year recovering, assisted by a nun in the community.

Ayu Khandro too was cremated on the same spot as Togden Rangrig.

Ayu Khandro now travelled with some of Adzom Drukpa's students to 2 famous and important Nyingma Monasteries, Dzogchen and Sechen.

Ayu Khandro was an important female terton whose terma, the Khandro Sangdu, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo rediscovered through his terma.

Ayu Khandro received from him numerous teachings from across the 4 schools of Tibetan Buddhism and teachings from Teachers from all over Tibet who were present.

Ayu Khandro called for them at the end of the teachings and gave them Dharma names, Dorje Paldron for Ayu Khandro and Osel Palkyi for Pema Yangkyi.

Ayu Khandro was the teacher and consort of Jomo Memo, a female terton from whose teachings, the Khandro Sangdu, Ayu Khandro had received from Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

Ayu Khandro gave me a little roll of paper about as long as my finger.