Lama Inge
Lama Yeshe Zangmo (Inge Sandvoss) was born in Germany in 1939 and moved to the United States in 1958. She met her first living Buddhist teacher, Kalu Rinpoche, in 1977.
In the fall of 1980, she met both Chagdud Rinpoche and Gyatrul Rinpoche at an empowerment given by H.H. the Karmapa in Portland, Oregon. In December 1980, she moved to Ashland, Oregon and stayed at Gyatrul Rinpoche's center and received Vajrakilaya empowerment and the complete teachings on generating the deity.
On Losar in 1981, Chagdud Rinpoche asked Lama Inge to help him make a small Guru Rinpoche statue. It was completed in the spring of 1981 and consecrated by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. In April 1981, Lam Inge moved to Cottage Grove and Chagdud Rinpoche became her root lama.
From Chagdud Rinpoche, Inge received Red Tara and T'hroma empowerments as well as empowerments for other deities practiced by Chagdud Gonpa. She also received the complete teachings on the Dzogchen Great Perfection, including instruction in trekcho and togyal from Chagdud Rinpoche.
After two years of continuous study and practice, Mr. Shen from New Jersey offered financial support for a three-year retreat. Because of this generous offering, lama Inge was able to enter three-year retreat under the guidance of Chagdud Rinpoche. She completed her retreat in 1986.
In 1987 the sangha in Spokane, WA lost their lama and asked Chagdud Rinpoche what they should do. As this time, Rinpoche ordained Lama Inge, gave her permission to give empowerments for Tara and T'hroma and sent her to Spokane to become their resident lama.
As resident lama of Padma Ling, Lama Inge has created two stupas, as well as statues of Yeshe Tsogyal, Guru Rinpoche and Red Tara. At Chagdud Gonpa Padma Ling, at 1014 W 7th Avenue in Spokane, WA, Lama Inge Zangmo maintains a daily practice schedule, teaches twice a week and helps with the prison program. She also travels and teaches at various dharma centers in the United States and has taught in Germany and Nepal.
