Venerable Lobsang Gyelse

“Ever since I was a young girl I wanted two things: to make others happy, and to know why I came into this world–what was my purpose and what was I supposed to do with this life?”

Venerable Lobsang Gyelse has studied Tibetan Buddhism for over 30 years with many of the great Tibetan masters. Her main teacher is Geshe Michael Roach.

For the last 20-plus years she’s been involved in the development and support of Diamond Mountain Retreat Center in southeastern Arizona. At Diamond Mountain, she has worn many hats, including that of operations manager, volunteer coordinator, and teacher.  At present she is the Diamond Mountain Board president.

Venerable Gyelse completed a three-year, three-month, three-day silent meditation retreat in 2014 at Diamond Mountain with 28 others; she has completed many other solitary retreats as well. She was ordained as a nun in the winter of 2006 and is the mother of a grown son. She is currently engaged in building a house in central Arizona near Geshe Michael and the Sedona College of International Management. Venerable Gyelse is a chaplain/spiritual care provider and counsels people around the world.