Lama Aria Drolma is a graduate of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist three year retreat program at Kagyu Thubten Choling monastery and trained in the practices of the Karma Kagyu tradition, as well as practices from the Shangpa Kagyu and Nyingma traditions under the guidance of the late Venerable Lama Norlha Rinpoche who was an accomplished meditation and retreat master and was the Founder of Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery in upstate New York. Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s teachers were one of the most accomplished realized masters in Tibetan Buddhist tradition H.H. the 16th Karmapa and Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche.

Lama Aria Drolma has a B.A. degree in Sociology from Mumbai University, and is trained in computer programming from NIIT, India. Prior to her ordination as a Buddhist Nun she had a successful professional career in Advertising, Marketing and Public relations in NYC. Her career has spanned three continents working in Asia, America, Europe, and has lived in Australia and Middle East. Lama Aria Drolma also actively volunteers as a fundraiser and supports several nonprofit organizations.