Cave in the Snow : Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment

by Vicki Mackenzie

Dianne Perry led an average childhood in London's East End until, in her teens, she became convinced there must be a spiritual dimension to life of a kind unavailable to her. After reading a book on Buddhism she realized that this was what she had been seeking and left England for India at the age of twenty.

After considerable searching she entered a monastery. The only woman among hundreds of men, she grew determined to break down the prejudices that had excluded women from the path to enlightenment for thousands of years. She left after six years, set on attaining enlightenment in the body of a woman; a totally radical objective. She decided to seclude herself in a remote cave, 12,00 feet up in the Himalayas. For twelve years she faced unimaginable cold, wild animals, floods and rockfalls, grew her own food and slept in a traditional wooden meditation box, three feet square---she never lay down.

In 1988 she emerged from the cave determined to build a convent in northern India, and to revive the Togdenma lineage, a long-forgotten female spiritual elite. From living as a mendicant of $80 a year, she became a globe-trotting fundraiser. Tenzin Palmo has agreed to tell her story only to Vicki Mackenzie.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Biography, Spirituality, Religion, Memoir, Philosophy

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1998

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

ever since reading this as a teenager, I've thought I could be a Buddhist Monk.
I still wish for that sometimes.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cave in the Snow" is the biography of Tenzin Palmo, a British woman, who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun at an early age. In her attempt to seek enlightenment, she endured 12 years in solitary isolation in a barren cave in the Karakoram mountains. For 12 years, she slept upright in a 2' X 3' "meditation box", endured cold, wild animals, and near starvation.

Surprisingly, I found this book to be a real page turner. It was an uplifting book, and accessibly written by Vicki Mackenzie. I got a real sense for Tenzin Palmo's vibrant, spirited personality. She does not have the hermit-like personality one would think she would have for isolating herself in a cave for 12 years.

The book was also eye-opening. I gained insight into the makeup of a person who is more spiritually inclined than the rest of us. Tenzin Palmo was exceptionally single-minded in pursuing her spiritual goals, more inclined to break societal expectations, and felt more passionately towards Buddha and her gurus than the rest of us.

Through her eyes, I got a sense for how spiritually barren our Western society is compared to the impoverished areas of Northern India where she spent many of her years. We are surrounded my material goods, but are still depressed and lost for all of our material goods, wondering, "What is the meaning of life?" In reading about Tenzin's Tibetan Buddhism learnings, I also gained a surface impression of the depth and learning of certain Buddhist practices, as well as the superficiality of other of the Buddhist practices.

I found the book's message to be uplifting as well. After all of her soul searching, Tenzin Palmo came to the conclusion that all religions seek the same spiritual goal, which is to be "in the moment". Also, we don't have to retreat into a cave to progress spiritually. We can spend 15 minutes a day in the grocery line, washing dishes, or cleaning to calm the chatter in our minds and to attempt being in the present. This book has inspired me to learn more about meditation and its benefits, and more about Buddhism.

[Karan Bajaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book! An incredibly inspiring story of a female monk seeking enlightenment in its truest, most undiluted sense. I admire the remarkable level of detail with which the biographer captured Tenzin Palmo's time in the cave. My wife and I ran into this book at a guest house in the high Himalayas - it was the perfect setting to read it and we both lapped up the story. The idea of meditating in a cave in the Himalayas sounds like a nice escape fantasy, but the reality is quite harsh, grueling, unglamorous, cold and damp. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the genre of "enlightenment quest."

[Sandra Nedopričljivica · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Uvijek se možete moliti buddhama, ali nemojte ih moliti da vam donesu bicikl za Božić. Umjesto toga, molite se za duhovni razvoj koji može procvjetati u umu. Molite se nižim bićima za taj bicikl. Pismo u kojem tražite povrat poreza ne biste slali premijeru, već nekom nižem službeniku. Želite li zaustaviti rat, poslat ćete pismo premijeru.“

Ovo je jedan od brojnih divnih citata kojima obiluje ova knjiga. Autorica Vicki Mackenzie je, upoznavši Tenzin Palmo, odlučila napisati priču o ovoj samozatajnoj Britanki, koja je napustila svoju zemlju, prijatelje, moderan život i kršćansku vjeru zamijenila budizmom.

A Tenzin Palmo rodila se kao Diane Perry, djevojka koja se ni po čemu nije razlikovala od bilo koje druge suvremene tinejdžerice, nosila visoke pete i družila se s momcima. U svojoj 20. godini je shvatila da brak i djeca nisu njezin životni put i zavjetovala se dostizanju prosvjetljenja u svom ženskom tijelu, postavši jednim od velikih yogina koji su se odrekli svjetovnog komfora. Tenzin je druga zapadnjakinja koja je zaređena za tibetsku redovnicu, prva je bila Britanka Freda Bedi, majka slavnog indijskog glumca Kabira, poznatog kao Sandokan.

Žene se godinama zalažu za svoje mjesto pod suncem, pa tako i u području duhovnosti, za uključivanje žena u molitvama i obredima. Jer „sudoper je jednako dobro mjesto za postizanje prosvjetljenja kao i meditacijska dvorana ili zabačena špilja u Himalaji“.
I Tenzin Palmo je sagradila svoju špilju u Himalaji, na visini od 4000 metara, boreći se sa hladnoćom i divljim zvijerima, meditirajući u drvenoj kutiji, širine 75 cm, u kojoj je mogla samo stajati. Ostala je tamo 12 godina. Mnogima nezamislivo, možda čudno ili glupo ili besmisleno. Zato to i uspijeva samo rijetkima, poput Tenzin.

Kad je 1988. godine izašla iz špilje, čvrsto je odlučila u sjevernoj Indiji izgraditi ženski samostan, kako bi oživjela duhovnu tradiciju budizma i pomogla školovanju redovnica.
Tenzin Palmo danas ima 74 godine i još uvijek putuje svijetom i podučava.

Svakom od nas potrebna je neka „špilja“, razdoblje tišine ili osame, kako bismo bili sami sa sobom i stekli duševni mir. Onda smo sposobni uhvatiti se ukoštac sa životom i pronaći rješenje vlastitih problema.

[Ananya Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended 'Cave in the Snow' when I complained that I cound't find writings of spiritually enlightened women. "Why didn't Devi Lopamudra and Devi Gargi and other realized women write any instruction manual for women? All I see are scriptures written by men and experiences of male sadhakas and siddhas", was my question and reason for disappointment.

This book is a biography of bhiksuni Tenzin Palmo. Palmo came to India from England in 1963, following her calling for Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. She was 20 back then. As she pursued her path, she was shocked to discover the patriarchal mindset of fellow male Buddhist practitioners who considered female body to be inferior to reach enlightenment. She was so appalled by the discrimination that she vowed to be enlightened in the female body, irrespective of the number of births it would take her.

On her lama's (guru) instructions, Palmo lived in solitude in a cave in Himachal Pradesh and practiced meditation for 12 years before coming back and helping others with the Dharma practice. Now she also runs a nunnery in Himachal Pradesh to support female monastics of Kagyu lineage.

To my delight, Cave in the snow not only raised the questions which I had, but in Palmo's emotional challenges during her early days, I discovered a woman with whom I can relate. It gave me clarity, comfort and inspiration which I was unable to find reading the experiences of men.

I definitely recommend this book to women sadhakas of all path.

[Helena (Renchi King) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ova knjiga mogla bi oduševiti praktikante i simpatizere budizma,mene je na trenutke davila tim tumačenjima o transcedentalnom...
Zanimalo me kako se jedna žena može povući na dvanaest godina osame,u špilju na 4000m u potpuno nemogućim uvjetima...
A,ipak nije tako...špilju su joj prethodno malo "pripremili":uzidali je,postavili vrata i prozor. Sasvim solidna,iako,vrlo malo sobica koja ima čak i malu peć! Hranu su joj dostavljali (doduše s nekim prekidima)...znači...nije bila gola špilja kakvu si svaki čitatelj predoči u glavi!
Naravno,to ne umanjuje njene zasluge za promicanjem žena u istočnjačkoj religiji,čak do najviše razine.
Na trenutke mi je bilo i sebično to njezino samotnjaštvo i bježanje od ljudi ,nedostatak želje da zasnuje obitelj,rodi...
Po povratku iz špilje i sama je shvatila da je puno propustila izbjegavajući posjetiti i živjeti na zapadu.
Pogledala sam i nekoliko isječaka njezinih predavanja na internetu. Divna je,smirena i puna empatije za svijet oko sebe. Voli ljude i rado se druži.
Za mene ipak malo "predaleka" i bez osobitog utjecaja na moja razmišljanja.

[Mark Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I would've read this book so fast if not for the audio version. The writing is very plain and contains lots of attributions such as “she stated” and “she commented,” like a newspaper article. Also, for those who are unable to read books that take the supernatural seriously (and I’m one such person), it can be difficult to accept all of the Tibetan Buddhism mysticism. All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learning about Tenzin Palmo’s journey from young woman in England to Buddhist nun. What makes the book so engaging, in addition to adventures like being buried in her cave under an avalanche, is its strong and unapologetic feminism. She vows to attain enlightenment in female form “no matter how many lifetimes it takes.” I especially liked when she made the Dalai Lama cry when she explained all of the sexism women must face when pursuing Tibetan Buddhism. Excerpt: “What she had promised was to become a female Buddha, and female Buddhas (like female Christs and female Mohammeds) were decidedly thin on the ground. Certainly there had been plenty of acclaimed women mystics and saints in all parts of the world, but the full flowering of human divinity had, for the past few thousand years at least, been deemed the exclusive domain of the male. The female body, for some reason, had been seen as an unfit or unworthy vessel to contain the most sacred. Now Tenzin Palmo was publicly announcing she was intending to overthrow all that.” The audio version includes two half-hour talks given by Tenzin Palmo in Israel. Grade: A

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting story let down by some clunky ol' writing. This is about a buddhist nun who lived in a cave for twelve years, although it isn't written by the nun (which would have been better) but by a journalist who met up with her. The nun's story is fascinating, but I could have done with more cave and less talking about a whole pile of other seemingly unrelated stuff in the last few chapters. Onwards!

[James Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenzin Palmo's life story is inspirational.

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boeddhisme was voor mij heel lang een abstracte, theoretische religie die ik me voornamelijk herinner als de oneindige sanskrit termen/namen die ik moest blokken voor de UGent. Gesprekken met een boeddhistische Chinese vriendin leidden tot een groeiende interesse in het humanere aspect van boeddhisme, het praktische. Haar gelukzaligheid toen ze zei dat ze besloot non te worden, overtuigden me om ook eens te beginnen lezen in alle boeken die ze me gaf over boeddhisme (en alle andere boeken die ze aanraadde). Dit boek was dan ook echt fantastisch! Tenzin Palmo, geboren in Londen, leefde 12 jaar in een grot in het Himalaya-gebergte, maar ze is zo veel meer dan dat, en Mackenzie doet dit ook gerechtigheid aan. De eerlijkheid waarmee Tenzin Palmo vertelt over haar moeilijkheden is inspirerend, en doet haar veel 'echter' lijken. Ook nonnen worden geconfronteerd met seksisme, en ook zij vechten dit op hun eigen manier aan.
Super interessant boek, dat af en toe harde kennis over boeddhisme aanreikt, maar voornamelijk introduceert hoe boeddhisme beleefd kan worden!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vickie Mackenzie's tone in this book is a little too breathless and reverential for my taste, but the story she has to tell is quite amazing. What struck me about Tenzin Palmo, aside from her ability to live in a cave/hut on a mountain in the Himalayas by herself, is how she seems to have been totally self-assured about her priorities and choices in life the whole way through. How many people get to be this sure about anything, let alone devotion to a sexist, byzantine religious order belonging to Asian mountain-people? Not that there's anything wrong with Tibetan Buddhism.. I'm just saying, the lady is formidable.

[Happyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been fascinated by Ani Tenzin Palmo. Twelve years meditating in a Himalayan cave!! And during the “prime” of her life too!! Who does that, you wonder? This engrossing biography answers that it’s a woman so dedicated to spiritual attainment that, despite the considerable obstacles of being a woman and a Westerner in the 1960s, she’s willing to commit and give her life to attaining enlightenment in female form. Her purpose in allowing the author access to her life was to inspire others to commit to their own spiritual attainment and this book achieves that.

[Nancy Loe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the prior reviewer who said that the author's tone is more than a bit breathless and awestruck. This is not to say that Palmo didn't accomplish an amazing feat. What I appreciated the most was Palmo's certitude.

[CatReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vicki Mackenzie is an English journalist. Her 1998 nonfiction book Cave in the Snow is a biography of the Tibetan Buddhist nun Tenzin Palmo (born Diane Perry in England in 1943). Tenzin Palmo was fascinated with Eastern spiritual practices from her teenage years onward, and at age 21 made the decision to become a Buddhist nun, which included a 12-year meditation retreat in a cave in the Indian himalayas (the "cave in the snow" referenced in the book's title). Mackenzie followed Tenzin Palmo's exploits for years to write this biography, treating Palmo with a reverence and profundity I'm not sure she's entirely due and that I don't particularly share. I tend to see someone who eschews modernity and earning an honest living and depends on others to fund all their life expenses as more of a grifter than a spiritual maven (see: why I hated Amanda Palmer's The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help so much).

This would be an interesting read for those interested in Eastern religions, though I think it's somewhat dated from its publication in the late 1990s when it lambasts how morally loose society had become as of that date.

Further reading:
A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun by Sister Monica Clare | my review

My statistics:
Book 234 for 2025
Book 2160 cumulatively

[Jameson M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Very inspirational for Buddhist practitioners.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I expected from this book was essentially a biography of British woman who came a Tibetan Buddhist nun and contemplative long before it was fashionable to do so, but there's a lot more to it.

What I enjoyed most were the later sections of the book where it delved more into the role of women in Buddhism (and particularly Tibetan Buddhism), the relationship between Buddhism and feminism, and the idea of Western Buddhism as a form that is coming-int0-being, and one of its greatest contributions (argues Tenzin Palmo) will be giving women a greater spiritual role.

At times, I disagreed with Tenzin Palmo's feminism (if she'd even call it that - though she is fighting for the equality of women). I felt she is overly critical of the anger of some feminists and that she lets some abusers, such as her teacher Choygam Trungpa, off the hook too easily. Yes, I know Buddhism doesn't like anger. But I also think many women have had to work to claim/express anger even when it's warranted, as we live in a culture where women are not supposed to get angry. So women must be given time to work through that anger. And while I want to leave open the possibility that women have agency to choose union with a non-celibate monk, I still think it's unethical for a monk in a position of power to make advances on young women coming to learn from him.

While I may disagree with her on some points, I nevertheless appreciated Tenzin Palmo's logical, unwavering position on women in Buddhism and the ability of women to attain the same spiritual depth as men. The fact that she lived in a cave for 13 years proving everyone wrong who said women could not withstand such hardship had me cheering. I also appreciated both her refusal of the idea that marriage and childbearing are always longings for women, as well as the depiction of her younger dating life and how she 'integrates' this passion into other parts of her life when she chooses celibacy.

Tibetan Buddhism doesn't resonate for me the way it does for Tenzin Palmo - raised a Spiritualist. Re-incarnation (particularly the lineage of incarnate lamas), hell realms, the rainbow body phenomenon, and other such mystical/religious concepts tend to draw me away from Buddhism rather than the more philosophical traditions of Western Buddhist thinkers such as Stephen Batchelor (who is discussed briefly in the overview of the tensions within Buddhism in the west). That said, it was interesting to learn a bit about Tibetan buddhism.

I particularly enjoyed Tenzin Palmo's teachings at the end of the audiobook, which were very practical if not radically different from those of other western teachers (e.g. Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron). I am curious to seek out more of her teachings.

[Jim Lavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This book or story is a true treasure. It’s one of the most moving books I’ve read in a long time. It’s one that I’ll read again and again.

This story is about a woman, Tenzin Palmo, who grew up in England and discovered the Buddhist faith through reading. She became so inspired by it, she dedicated her whole life to the practice. At a young age, she left home and traveled to India to study the Tibetan tradition of the Buddhist faith. From there, she met and convinced a lama to accept her into his Tibetan Monastery which was located 13,300 feet up in the Himalayan mountains in the north part of India.

The monastery, like all the other monasteries, was only occupied by men, which had its challenges and the men didn’t see her as an equal. They certainly tried, but the culture wasn’t that supportive back in the 60’s nor is it today. She was a true maverick and never gave up.

She was passionate and determined to learn everything she could about becoming enlightened, so she knew she needed solitude and silence to achieve this dream. The monastery wasn’t working for her, so she moved into a cave, which was quite a distance north of the monastery and was very small, 6’ by 10’, and had no running water or electricity. It was very primitive and didn’t even have a bed to sleep on or a toilet to use. She slept in a box and used a container as a toilet.

The location of her cave was brutal with winters lasting 8 months and temperatures dropping as low as 30 below. Many thought she couldn’t do it, but she ended up living there, by herself, for more than twelve years. This book shares many stories about her experiences, and it also shares her understanding of enlightenment and how precious meditation was to her development. She was known to mediate for 12 hours a day, year after year. She also shared that she never got bored. She loved her life and was very happy.

She even had to travel a quarter of a mile just to get water and she had to carry that water back to her cave. Her understanding of life’s challenges and her description of her enlightenment touched my soul. She’s a sage in my book. You’re in my prayers Tenzin Palmo. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.

[Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

There can be no 'review' as such of the story of a fishmonger's daughter from London who has relentlessly pursued self-realisation with a commitment most of us can scarcely imagine. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a beacon signalling THAT unparalleled bravery and ultimate freedom that a human lifetime can be used to access. While the most obviously 'impressive' part of the story is her 12 years living alone in a Himalayan cave, meditating 12 hours a day, sleeping in a sitting position (for 12 years - yes - right in her meditation box) and eating largely dal, rice and turnips, her overarching commitment to finding freedom right from her late teens is what stands out even more for me. To make a choice as a young woman that truth and freedom come before pleasure and ease, and to go after that doggedly. It's so very difficult, and yet we are fortunate enough to have beings like Tenzin Palmo among us to show us it can be done.
Defying scriptures that consider birth as a male to be highly advantageous in pursuing spiritual progress, here is a very special being who, horrified at the sexism even within spiritual practice, has taken a solemn vow to attain enlightenment in the female form.
To be read, re-read, and meditated upon as often as possible.

[Bridget]

Not just the biography of one of the first Western Buddhist nuns but a surprisingly accessible and readable survey of the role of women in Tibetan Buddhism over the last 100 years.

Mackenzie's prose is at times choppy, her tone sometimes too "gushing" but deservedly so, I feel. This is after all the story of a woman who has done remarkable things by any standard. Do not let such minor niggles put you off this slim volume for it contains several passages of insight and some of dazzling clarity and purity, like sunlight on untouched snow.

This is a short book, and a simple one. But simple doesn't mean shallow and short books sometimes take you on long long journeys. This one gives tongue to dialogues you may not have been able to form into words but know you've always had with yourself and the Wild Unknown.

NOTE: I don't know how to rate this. And I'm not going to (since this is a book that contributes financially to a cause I consider worthwhile) I don't want to burden it with a 'star' rating. As a read (a purely technical rating), I would give it a high-ish three.
As a "think" however...I'll leave it to you.

[Katrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. She was also one of the few women, ever, to vow to reach enlightenment in a female form. Historically nuns have had to be satisfied with learning as much as possible then hoping to be reborn into a male form, whereby they might be given the higher teachings. Tenzin Palmo basically demanded the teachings. She was a recognized reincarnation of a close friend of one of the high lamas. She eventually went to meditate in a cave in the Himalayan foothills for 12 years!! Besides being a really great story, this book is very informative about some of the history of Tibetan Buddhism and especially what it has been like for women who wish to achieve a really advanced Buddhist practice.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should point out that the life story of Tenzin Palmo, her Buddhist teachings and outlook on life all made for incredibly inspiring reading. However, it is unfortunately quite poorly written by Vicki Mackenzie, who approaches her subject with too much sentimentality. Mackenzie also fails to capture what Palmo - and indeed Buddhism - is all about, and instead relies upon badly edited interview transcripts. Nevertheless, there are plenty of enlightening passages and quotes from Palmo, which have proved hugely helpful to me as part of my ongoing interest in Buddhism and meditation.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

what can I say? Tenzin Palmo is definitely my new hero!
Each and every sentences came out of her & written in this book contain depth; yet they are all delivered simply, so simple you can understand each and every message right away.
As for Vicky MacKenzie, the author, i admire the way she put together Tenzin's story.
I will definitely buy some more of Tenzin's books, if any.

[Raven Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing non fiction tell all of an incredible woman. Who became the first ever Western world Buddhist Nun. Her desire to seek enlightenment amidst adversity in a world of Male dominance, she manged to overcome this. Another fantastic read especially for those on a spiritual path.

[Neil Mattey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely interesting story of Tenzin Palmo, with her quest for enlightenment. Full life story nicely written by Vicki making it very accessible and inspirational. After reading this book my mind was much clearer than when I began. Essential reading.

[Gea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply inspiring!

[Magdelanye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young girls are generally discouraged from extreme forms of expression, and this applies to forms of devotion. This biography of Tenzin Palmo by Vicki Mackenzie documents the transformation a young, fun- loving English girl into a Tibetan Buddhist nun, in defiance of tradition and with the full support of her mother who encouraged her spiritual quest.

In fact, reading this intimate account, even with all of the austere practices TP took on, she never lost her sense of fun nor her light-hearted positivity. Of her twelve years of living alone in a remote cave in the Himalayas, sleeping in a box, sometimes ill but always curious, grateful, and accepting of whatever circumstances, she simply said:
It's very good to have an opportunity to be alone with oneself and see who one really is behind all the masks. p198

Back in the world, a role model and teacher, she offers this assurance:
The practice of being in the moment, of opening the heart, can be done wherever we are....it makes no difference. p198

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written about Tenzin Palmo, a Buddhist nun, with the primary emphasis on her 12 years living in a cave contemplating, meditating, practicing, and surviving. A Western woman seeking enlightenment in a predominately male world. Her story and her teachings are both inspirational and insightful. I would not call myself a Buddhist, but I do greatly value the teachings and practices of this 2,500 religion.

[Agustina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational and clarifying about certain aspects of the path. I loved it.

[Naomi Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF - have been battling through this for too long, finally decided to move on with my life. Giving up at 83% read on my kindle feels bad, but if this woman can live in a cave for 12 years then I can give up on this book LOL! This woman’s quest for enlightenment is incredible but I just didn’t feel connected to it idk

[Caitlin Knowles · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting but not really for me?

woman is pretty incredible, has some iffy thoughts on sexual assault though from what i can gather. think ill stick w my catholicism x