Dorje

Dorje Chokyi Levin (Judy Lewis), born January 25, 1941, died on March 3,2008 in Buffalo, NY. She was raised in Tonawanda, NY and later lived in Flint, MI and Chicago, IL. In the midst of great life difficulties she started to study Buddhism. After reading about Vajrayogini in a book she tried to practice on her own, but then met Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and became his devoted student. She attended Vajradhatu Seminary in 1975 and was a devoted and intense practitioner for the rest of her life.

She is remembered by her friends for her kindness, accurate perceptions, insight into dharma, and her direct and honest way of speaking. She treated all people equally, and was not impressed by rank or social position.

Dorje's life was in many ways marked with extreme suffering despite which she never showed envy or resentment toward those who enjoyed comfort, health and wealth. Her greatest difficulty was in accepting that she too was as worthy a person as those to whom she showed great generosity.

Dorje is survived by her daughter Rae Lewis-Thornton of Chicago.

-Michael Levin