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Tenzin Palmo
Student at Case Western Reserve University
Tenzin Palmo, born Diane Perry in 1943 in London, is a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism, recognized as a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa lineage of the Kagyu school. She is notably one of the first Western women to be ordained as a nun in this tradition. Her journey into Buddhism began in 1961 when she traveled to India seeking a teacher, which led her to meet her root guru, the eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche.124
Early Life and Ordination
Tenzin Palmo was ordained as a novice nun in 1964 and later received full bhikṣuṇī ordination in 1973, becoming one of the first Western women to achieve this status. Her early experiences in a monastery highlighted the gender discrimination prevalent within monastic practices, motivating her to advocate for women's rights in Buddhism.13
Cave Retreat
In 1976, Tenzin Palmo began an extraordinary twelve-year retreat in a remote Himalayan cave, where she engaged in intensive meditation and spiritual practice. This period included three years of complete isolation, during which she faced extreme conditions while deepening her spiritual insights.124 Her experiences during this time are chronicled in her acclaimed book Cave in the Snow.
Advocacy and Nunnery
After emerging from her retreat in 1988, Tenzin Palmo dedicated herself to promoting equal opportunities for women in Buddhism. She founded the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India, in 2000, aimed at providing education and training for nuns from Tibet and surrounding regions. The nunnery also seeks to revive the lineage of togdenmas, a tradition of female yogis.145
Recognition and Contributions
Tenzin Palmo's contributions have been widely recognized; she was awarded the title of Jetsunma (reverend lady) by the head of the Drukpa lineage for her efforts to uplift female practitioners. In November 2023, she was named on the BBC's 100 Women list, highlighting her influence and inspiration globally.123
Current Role
As of now, Tenzin Palmo serves as the director of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery and continues to be an advocate for women's rights within Buddhism. She has also held leadership roles such as the president of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women.25 Although she has retired from extensive travel and public speaking since April 2022, she remains an influential figure within her community and continues to offer guidance at her nunnery.56
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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