Lama Gyurme
Lama Gyurme was born in Portugal in May 1968 as Pedro Alexandre Paiva. He received a standard education, with emphasis on ethical values and social intervention in society. At a very early age Lama Gyurme became interested in Dharma after seeing an image of the Buddha. However, due to the inaccessibility of Tibetan Buddhist teachings and dearth of information in the West at that time, he would only be able to embark on serious study much later.
After studying and practicing Dharma for many years, Lama Gyurme was encouraged by Lama Urgyen Chökyi Dorje, Lingla Rinpoché and Tulku Dakpa Rinpoché, among others, to share his knowledge of this path of wisdom and compassion. And after several years doing so and building a close relationship with Acharya Khenpo Negi, Master of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, he was instructed to assume the functions of a Lama. Before the assembly of the Sangha, Khenpo Negi requested that he henceforth use the title of “Lama Gyurme” in his Dharma activities. The counsellor and spiritual advisor of CET Pendê Ling - Portugal, Lama Urgyen Chödor, rejoiced in Khenpo’s decision. CET Pendê Ling is thusly blessed with a resident Lama able to express the Dharma teachings in the Portuguese language, auspiciously satisfying an aspiration of Geshe Kunchok Wöser, expressed in 2007, that Portugal should come to enjoy a Portuguese Lama.
Currently, Lama Gyurme has more than twenty years Dharma study and practice under the guidance of several Rinpoches and Lamas (spiritual masters) from Tibet’s various spiritual traditions. Lama Urgyen Chökyi Dorje's boundless kindness and support allowed Lama Gyurme to receive myriad instructions and empowerments, and to meet Lamas and Rinpochés such as Tulku Chökyi Nyingma Rinpoché, Kyabje Chokling Rinpoché, Kyabje Pema Kalsang Rinpoché, Kyabje Khoochen Rinpoché and Lingla Tulku Rinpoché. Tulku Sherab Dorje has shown also Lama Gyurme great kindness in providing instructions, transmissions, empowerments, and introductions to masters including Tulku Hung Kar Dorje Rinpoché, Kyabje Garchen Rinpoché, Sangyum Kamala Rinpoché, and Kyabje Chatral Rinpoché. Many others have kindly offered him empowerments, transmissions and instructions, including Ranyak Patrul Rinpoché, Lama Wangdor de Tsopema, Khenpo Negi, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoché, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Geshe Yongdong Rinpoché, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoché, Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoché and Kyabje Garchen Rinpoché.
In Edinburgh we have had the good fortune to receive visits and teachings from Lama Gyurme since 2008. He teaches skilfully in the English language and transmits the Buddha’s message in a direct, clear, and humorous way, seeking - above all - to develop listeners’ understanding of the Teachings in a practical way. Lama Gyurme’s inspiring visits have led to the formation of the Edinburgh Nyingma Buddhist Group, which meets regularly to maintain practice and encourage Dharma activity between Lama Gyurme's visits.
