Linda Pritzker
American lama and billionaire heiress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linda Pritzker (born September 1953[2]), also known as Lama Tsomo, is an American lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is a spiritual teacher, author, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch[3] in Missoula, Montana where she currently resides. She is a member of the Pritzker family, known for the Hyatt Hotel fortune. As of July 2018, her net worth was estimated at $1.77 billion.[4]
- Lama Tsomo
Linda Pritzker | |
|---|---|
Linda Pritzker (Lama Tsomo) in 2014 | |
| Born | September 1953 (age 72) Oberlin, Ohio, U.S. |
| Other name |
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| Occupations | Tibetan lama, author[1] |
| Known for | Inheritance, Buddhism |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Robert Pritzker (father) |
| Relatives | Pritzker family |
Early life
Pritzker was born September 1953 in Oberlin, Ohio, the second of three children of Jewish-American businessman Robert Pritzker[5][6] and Audrey Gilbert.[7][8] She has two full siblings: Jennifer N. Pritzker (b. James, 1950),[9] a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and founder of the Pritzker Military Library,[10] and Karen Pritzker (b. 1958).
Her parents divorced in 1979.[6] In 1980, her father married Irene Dryburgh; their children are Matthew Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons.[6] The following year, her mother married Albert B. Ratner, co-chairman of Cleveland-based real estate developer Forest City Enterprises.[7][8]
Career
After earning a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and working as a psychotherapist for several years, Pritzker began a spiritual path to Tibetan Buddhism.[11] In 1995, she began studying with Tibetan meditation master Tulku Sangak Rinpoche and became fluent in Tibetan.[12] Rinpoche is world holder of the Namchak Lineage, a branch of the Nyingma path of Tibetan Buddhism.[13]
Pritzker was ordained a lama[4] in February 2005 by Rinpoche. ABC News' Dan Harris documented Lama Tsomo's journey to Buddhist practices in his podcast 10% Happier.[14]
Today, Lama Tsomo's work revolves around the initiatives of the Namchak Foundation. While parts of the Namchak Retreat Ranch are under construction,[15] the retreat has several offerings for students looking to begin or strengthen their meditation practice including two online courses, guided meditations, Learning Circles, and several live events per year.[16]
Publications
Lama Tsomo is author of the Ancient Wisdom for our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series,[17] including Book 1: Why Bother: An Introduction,[18] Book 2: Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself),[19] and Book 3: Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection.[20]
Lama Tsomo also wrote Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice.[21] The foreword was written by the Dalai Lama and won a silver medal in the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards).[22]
Other books by Lama Tsomo include The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales.[23] She co-authored The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity[24] and was a contributor to The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers edited by Tami Simon.[25]
Personal life
Publications
- Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[20]
- Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself) (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[19]
- Why Bother?: An Introduction (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[18]
- Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice[21]
- The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity, co-author with Matthew Fox[24]
- The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers, contributing author, edited by Tami Simon[25]
- The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales[23]
- "10% Happier with Dan Harris" Podcast, August 2017[27]
- "Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg" Podcast, October 2018[28]
- "Buddha at the Gas Pump" Podcast, May 2018[29]
- "The Secular Buddhist" Podcast, June 2016[30]
- "Synchronicity podcast" May 2016[31]
- "Ani Tsering Wangmo: A Life of Merit" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, March 2010.
- "Coming Home" in Originally Blessed. Oakland, CA: Creation Spirituality Communities, 2008.
- "Dharmasala" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, August 2007.
- "Shedra" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, February 2006.