http://www.vajrayana.org/tshogyal-choedon/
Tshogyal Choedon
Tshogyal Choedon was born in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal to Dechen Dolkar and the Venerable Gyepa Rinpoche. Her grandfather, the Second Degyal Rinpoche, and great grandfather, Serta Rinpoche, are highly realized Dzogchen masters and the main lineage holders of Namkha Khyung Dzong, a Nyingma lineage and tradition coming from the great master and ascetic saint Pema Dechen Gyalpo (the first Degyal Rinpoche), a direct disciple of Thrakthung Dudjom Lingpa. Therefore, she comes from a pure spiritual family background of four successive generations.
Tshogyal Choedon studied Buddhist philosophy and ritual practices in Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery, in Kathmandu, and Namkha Khyung Dzong Nunnery in Orissa, India, under the guidance of her father. She has thoroughly learned all ritual practices and is proficient in playing ritual instruments such as drum, bell, cymbal, conch, gyaling (ritual oboe), and ragdung (long horn trumpet). She is also highly skilled in making torma (food offering sculptures), butter decoration, and tsa tsas (images of Buddhist deities) and in Dharma dance. She excels at ritual chanting and often serves as Umdze (Chant Master). In addition to these traditional Buddhist studies, she is fluent in speaking, reading and writing English and Nepali.
In 2002, Tshogyal Choedon received the Dudjom Tersar (Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje’s New Treasures) Dodjo Bumsang (Rigdzin Terdak Lingpa’s Collection of Treasures), Nyingtig Tsapod and Damgnag Dzod teachings and empowerments from H.H. Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche. In 2009, she received the complete Dudjom New Treasure empowerments, transmissions and teachings from H.H. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche.
She has undertaken several solitary spiritual retreats focused on the practice of Troma Chod, an intricate and highly complex practice that very few Buddhist practitioners have truly mastered. In addition, she conducts retreat, gives teachings, and oversees and presides over major religious ceremonies. Because of her own religious knowledge, practice, skill and pure religious family background, she is well revered as Semo (Spiritual Daughter) Tshogyal in Humla and other Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal and India.