© Karine Le Pajolec

Lama Chounyi was born in 1960 in Bordeaux France. When she was 27 years old she became a buddhist and at 28 years old took monastic vows.

Her spiritual education has been guided by Jigme Rinpoche at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in France; by Khenpo Choedrak Rinpoche at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) in New Delhi, India where she has studied buddhist philosophy for 7 years; by H.H. Karmapa Thaye Dorje while doing several short retreats in Kalimpong India and by Gendun Rinpoche during a three year retreat and also by HH Shamar Rinpoche who has been her adviser all along.