The Venerable Lama Karma Chotso

Lama Karma Chötso began to study and practice the Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in March, 1982 after meeting Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche in New York City when he gave the Kalachakra empowerment. Lama Karma Chötso has practiced the Buddhadharma for 35 years. She studied Madhyamaka under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche for many years and her teachings reflect this. She also teaches extensively on instructions in Vajrayana practices, Tibetan language, and she is trained in thangka painting.. While she remained at the monastery in New York State for a few years after finishing her retreat, Lama relocated to South Florida late in 1996 where she began the first Kagyu center in Hollywood, Florida in 1997. During her time in South Florida, Lama Karma Chötso has given lectures in many venues such as the Whole Life Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Sunshine Cathedral, Dania Library, St. Thomas University, Barry University, FIU, and health/wellness centers. She has visited the manatees at the Miami Seaquarium and the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key to chant mantras and give the animals consecrated waters. Lama Karma Chötso taught meditation and Tai Qi to the inmates at Broward Correctional Facility from 1998 until 2004. She co-taught a course in Tibetan Buddhism with Dr. Nathan Katz at FIU and was a Committee member of FAU’s Interfaith group for one year. Lama Karma Chötso also teaches in Peru where she has visited twice a year for many years. The Kagyu sangha there is strong and growing, plus they are building a 50- foot stupa in the province of San Martin near a town called Lamas. Lama Karma Chötso’s main residence is in Miami, Florida, where she lives with her rescue animals: the dog, Sengay, and two cats, Travieso and Nefertiti. Many other cats and dogs have been fostered at the center and all have found homes.

For 2022 during Art Basel week at the Ancient Spanish Monastery, Lama Karma Chötso will guide our mass meditation for world peace.