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Celebrating Khandro Rinpoche’s Birthday
Why We Celebrate
I value my life more because you are in it.
— Jane Miknius (long-time student and attendant to Khandro Rinpoche)
On this special occasion of Khandro Rinpoche’s 60th birthday, we gather with gratitude to celebrate a life dedicated to wisdom, compassion, and the flourishing of an authentic Buddhist lineage.
For many of us, Rinpoche’s presence has been a source of inspiration, courage, and joy. Through her teachings, example, and unwavering bodhicitta, she has helped countless students discover greater meaning, clarity, and purpose in their lives.
Her life reminds us that wisdom is not merely taught—it is lived. Through her kindness, humour, authenticity, and tireless dedication to others, she continues to guide and inspire students throughout the world.
In the Buddhist tradition, celebration is not simply a commemoration; it is an opportunity to generate merit and create the conditions for positive qualities and beneficial activities to continue and flourish. By rejoicing in Rinpoche’s life and accomplishments, we support the continuation of her activities and the transmission of the precious teachings she carries.
With heartfelt gratitude, we pray that Khandro Rinpoche’s life may be long, that she may continue in good health, and that the Shakya Shri lineage may remain pure and flourish under her guidance for the benefit of all beings.
Our Birthday Gift Offering
A Story from Jane
Guru-ma grew up surrounded by many of the great Himalayan Buddhist masters of her generation, including those within her own family. The simplicity of the life they lived can be difficult for many of us in the West to imagine. Material comfort was never a priority. Practice, family, devotion, and service were at the centre of life.
Like many Himalayan yogis and yoginis, Rinpoche was accustomed to sleeping very simply—traditionally on a sheepskin on the floor, often sharing space with siblings, family members, or attendants. It was simply the way things were done.
When I first arrived at Drukpa Zimkhang, Rinpoche’s home in Manali, in 2005, I was surprised to discover that there was no bed in her room. Stored away in a yellow metal cupboard was an old sheepskin that she and her late husband had used for sleeping on the floor.
Curious, I asked Agula, the Bhutanese manager who had known His Holiness Shabdrung Rinpoche since childhood, whether there might be a bed somewhere in the house that could be used for our precious Guru. Together we searched the large attic of this beautiful Bhutanese-style home—the only one of its kind in India.
To our delight, we discovered an old wooden bedframe stored away in pieces. Although it had not been used for years, it was in remarkably good condition. We assembled it and placed it in Rinpoche’s room. There was still no mattress, so I happily offered to buy one, together with sheets, to complete her new sleeping arrangements.
That same bedframe and mattress remain in use to this day.
Sometime later, after mentioning that I could no longer tolerate sleeping on the traditional coconut-fibre mattress in my own room, Rinpoche delighted in replacing it with a much better mattress than the one I had originally offered her. This epitomises Rinpoche’s generosity. True to her nature, she always gives back more than she receives.
Remembering this story, I thought how wonderful it would be if, on her 60th birthday, we as a sangha could offer Rinpoche a beautiful new bedframe and mattress of the quality she herself would choose. This year as she focuses on her book, she needs an adjustable bed where she can also sit and comfortably write her book. It would be for her Hervey Bay home, where she now spends much of her time.
It is a simple gift, yet one filled with meaning. It expresses our gratitude for the extraordinary care, guidance, wisdom, and kindness that Rinpoche has given us over so many years. More deeply, it creates a tendril of connection between our appreciation and the qualities we cherish in her life and example.
To Make a Birthday Gift Offering
We invite you to become part of this tendril of connection between your own gratitude and the extraordinary qualities of Khandro Rinpoche upon which so many of us rely.
The bed itself is the material gift. The deeper gift is the connection of appreciation, devotion, and rejoicing that it represents.
Every contribution, large or small, is offered with gratitude, devotion, and heartfelt appreciation.
Join the Online Birthday Celebration
Khachodling Sangha and friends from around the world will gather online to celebrate Khandro Rinpoche’s life, health, and the continuation of her pure and authentic lineage.
Throughout the day, communities in different countries will make offerings and prayers on her behalf. In Hong Kong, practitioners will conduct life-release activities. In India, a candlelight puja will be offered to remove obstacles and create auspicious conditions for Rinpoche’s continued activities. Around the world, students and friends will offer prayers, flowers, candles, and birthday wishes.
Khandro Rinpoche herself will join the celebration online from her Brisbane Sanctuary Australia.
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this special milestone and in offering our collective prayers that Rinpoche may remain with us for a long time, continuing to benefit countless beings through her wisdom, compassion, and example.
Join the Celebration – The Khachodling Team