The Treasury of Lives

Metokma (me tog ma) was born in the nineteenth century, in Terdrom (gter sgrom), the nunnery near Drigung Monastery ('bri gung dgon) that has been home to some of the most well-known female Buddhist masters of Tibet including Drigung Khandro Choden Zangmo (chos ldan bzang mo). Metokma became a nun at a young age. She devoted herself to practice under the direction of many great Drigung masters, herself becoming an advanced practitioner. She was skilled at treating diseases and infections, as well as ailments related to spiritual obstacles.

In 1956, Metokma went on a pilgrimage to Tsāri (tsa ri), and along the way treated wounded pilgrims by reciting mantras. She would regularly give up eating even small amounts of food, instead practicing the alchemical process known as "extracting the essence" (bcud len). According to tradition, she was able to subsist exclusively on the essences of seeds ('bru'i bcud len), flowers (me tog bcud len), and air (nam mkha' bcud len). As a result of these practices her senses became more powerful and she was said to have the ability to sense people from afar. She attained realizations and her flesh became youthful. Like many adepts, she had long plaited hair that she wore atop her head.

Metokma died sometime during the Cultural Revolution, though details and the exact year are not known.

_________________________________________________

Publication of this biography was made possible through support of Khyentse Foundation.

Additional Bios Sponsored By Khyentse Foundation

---

Learn more about the Women Initiative, an effort to add 100 new biographies of women by 2026.