| Ven. Nyingje's studies of Buddhism began in 1968 and soon focused on Tibetan Buddhism. During a visit to Dharamsala in 1982, she abandoned a Ph.D. fellowship at UC Berkeley to adopt the lifestyle of a meditator under the guidance of Lama Yeshe. The last 23 years have been spent completing the great mantra retreats of Vajrayogini and Yamantaka in the tradition of Lama Tsong Khapa's ear-whispered lineage, under the direction of Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and Kyabje Ribur Rinpoche. All four sects of Tibetan Buddhism strongly influence her practice. "I wrote these songs during my long retreat, and gave a tape I recorded to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He said it was great, but that I needed a band! He advised me to call George Galt. With the help of George and his friends, the Joy Riders came into being....Lama Yeshe asked us to make American Buddhist Culture... and to find our own way. He told us that Buddhism was not about Tibetan Culture, and asked us to sift the dharma from the culture and make it our own. Music is such a large part of our lives, we love it so, so let’s sing out the Dharma for all to hear and enjoy! All the joy of meditation finds its voice in music that resonates with our hearts." |
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