Venerable Gyelse, a dedicated Buddhist nun, has spent decades walking the path of Dharma under the guidance of Geshe Michael Roach. In this inspiring interview, she shares her story of transformation, her early encounters with Buddhism, and her years of service within the Diamond Mountain community.
A Journey to Sedona and a Life of Service
Venerable Gyelse moved to the Sedona area around four years ago, right after the beginning of the COVID pandemic. During this time, she built her own house on a small piece of land given to her by Venerable Jigme. Besides construction work, she also served as a hospice chaplain, helping people during their final days.
She manages the building where the interview takes place, ensuring the space is welcoming and well-maintained. At the same time, she continues teaching Dharma, leading ACI (Asian Classics Institute) courses, Medicine Buddha retreats, and preparing for more silent retreats at Diamond Mountain.
Deepening Dharma Practice
Venerable Gyelse is also working with students on a project focused on Master Shantideva’s teachings, exploring how to integrate his wisdom into everyday life. Additionally, together with Venerable Jigme, she is engaged in teaching the Delam courses — a series of deep Dharma studies that require commitment and dedication.
Meeting Geshe Michael for the First Time
She first encountered Geshe Michael through an article in Tricycle Magazine in the mid-1990s. Later, she met him in person at Vajrapani Institute in California in 1996, where he was teaching The Diamond Cutter. This meeting changed her life profoundly — she felt she had found her true teacher.
Becoming a Buddhist and Finding Answers
Raised in a Jewish family in Chicago, Venerable Gyelse was searching for deeper spiritual answers since her teenage years. She explored Zen Buddhism, Eastern philosophies, and eventually found her path in Tibetan Buddhism, studying with Lama Sopa before meeting Geshe Michael.
A Life Devoted to Dharma
She served the three-year retreat community at Diamond Mountain, supporting the retreaters with daily tasks, from cooking to organizing supplies. Later, she herself entered a three-year retreat — a powerful and transformative experience that she describes as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Facing Challenges and Remaining Faithful
Throughout her Dharma journey, Venerable Gyelse encountered difficult moments — including the well-known split between Geshe Michael and Lama Christie, and the tragic events during the retreat. Despite these challenges, she remained grounded in logic and faith, always returning to the teachings of the pen — the fundamental idea of how reality is shaped by our perceptions and karmic seeds.
A Teacher, Guide, and Leader
After the retreat, she continued to serve Diamond Mountain in various roles — from volunteer coordinator to maintenance manager, and later as its director. Her commitment to service and the community never wavered.
The Profound Impact of Geshe Michael
For Venerable Gyelse, Geshe Michael’s teachings provided a clear, logical, and practical path to happiness and enlightenment — not only for herself but for helping others. She believes that without these teachings, her life would have been completely different.
Final Reflection
Venerable Gyelse’s story is one of resilience, service, and unwavering dedication to the Dharma. Through her life example, she shows how the teachings of Geshe Michael Roach offer not only profound wisdom but also practical guidance for transforming our lives and the world around us.
