Spiritual Path and Professional Career
The resident artist and founder of Yulokod Studios is Ani Thubten Jamyang Donma, known simply as Ani J, or Tsunma Jamyang. She has been an ordained nun in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition for approx. 30 years. Before taking ordination as a Buddhist nun, she was known as Catherine A. Brock.
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Ani's relationship with glass painting began with her training in traditional ecclesiastical glass painting in Toronto, Canada, at the renowned glass studio Robert McCausland Ltd. Founded in 1856. This company is Canada’s pre-eminent Ecclesiastical glass studio. For approx. 7 years, Ani apprenticed there, restoring and creating windows for sacred spaces - churches, synagogues, government buildings, mausoleums, universities and private shrines.
Tsunma feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to train with some of the greatest glass painting masters of her time, and considers her apprenticeship (during the 1980's) as a very auspicious, rare and precious oppourtunity.
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The glass painting studio and retail location, which she established in 1981, in Toronto on Yonge Street - then Avenue Road - and most recently relocated to Cambridge, Ontario. (Galt, on the Grand)
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In 1989, Ani met her root teacher, Venerable Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche, and assisted him in establishing Riwoche Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Toronto, Canada (https://www.riwoche.com).
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Khenpo Sonam Rinpoche introduced Tsunma Jamyang to Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje Rinpoche, who then became her root teacher.
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In 1994, Ani was ordained as a Buddhist nun, in the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition by Khandro Rinpoche, and then again in 1997 by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsewang Gyatso & 13 Khenpos of the Palyul Lineage. She was bestowed the name Ani Thubten Jamyang Donma and has come to be known simply as Ani J.
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Since that time, Tsunma has also trained as a Clinical Chaplain, Registered Psychotherapist, and Spiritual Care provider, as part of her spiritual path and professional practice. She supports the ill and dying in her role as Chaplain, as well as teaching, consulting and supporting many healthcare professionals and practitioners in the healing arts in Mindfulness & Cpmpassion Training.
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Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche then introduced Tsunma Jamyang to Kyabgon Phakchok Rinpoche, her current root teacher, who requested Tsunma to be one of the instructors for Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Cooperstown in Cooperstown, NY, USA. This is one of many Rangjung Yeshe Gomde centres around the world, founded by the extraordinary family of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Gomde's are retreat centres with instruction in: Buddhist philosphy, ethics, ritual practice, and meditation.
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Over the years students and practitioners of meditation have asked for items that support their sacred spaces and spiritual practice. The Yulokod Studios retail location and this on-line portal are the answer to these requests.
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Dedicated to sacred awarenss through beauty, Yulokod Studios now carries items that support the seeker, the healing professional, and the creation and maintainance of sacred space.
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Honoring wellbeing, and Compassionate Buddhist & Mindfulness practice.
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Tsunma Jamyang Donma would like to especially acknowledge the female root teachers who have truly supported her life's Spiritual Path, without them none of this would be possible: Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo (Sangzin Khandro), Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, H E Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche, as well as Dharma Sisters Lama Yeshe Wangmo & Tsultrim Allione.
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