Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) is an organization for Buddhist study and practice in the Nyingma tradition (Palyul lineage) that is located in Poolesville, Maryland and Sedona, Arizona, with smaller groups in Santa Barbara, California and across Australia. KPC was founded by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo and later given to Penor Rinpoche. KPC was Penor Rinpoche's first Dharma Center in the US. Teachers Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo Rinpoche is the KPC resident lama. She was enthroned as a lineage holder in 1988 by Penor Rinpoche. Khenpo Pem Tsheri Sherpa from Namdroling monastery is a returning teacher, in residence several months out of the year. The monks and nuns and Ahkon Lhamo's daughter Atira teach beginning classes. Prayer vigil KPC was established in 1985 to house the 24-hour prayer vigil begun in Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo's basement, and to create a temple that was open 24 hours a day. Participants maintain two-hour prayer shifts, doing practices in the Nyingma tradition. The vigil is dedicated to the end of suffering and has remained unbroken. In 1999, Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) began another 24-hour prayer vigil in the new location in Sedona, Arizona. Founding In 1988, Penor Rinpoche enthroned Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo during the Rinchen Terzod cycle of esoteric empowerments at Kunzang Palyul Choling. At that time he ordained 25 monks and nuns, creating a large ordained community. In 1990, the temple purchased 65 acres of land and built prayer wheels and statues which Yangthang Rinpoche consecrated following the Nyingtig Yabshi empowerments. Ahkon Lhamo later moved to Sedona, Arizona, and the temple expanded there. She returned to Maryland in the early 2000's. Historically, the temple has hosted Buddhist teachers of the Nyingma lineage. Gyaltrul Rinpoche gave Nam Cho, generation stage, and tsa lung teachings. Jigme Phuntsok gave his own discovered teachings (terma), Kusum Lingpa gave the Yeshe Lama trekchod and togyal teachings, and Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche gave his Red Tara teachings. Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche was briefly in residence, and Khenpo Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal returned frequently to teach. Locations Poolesville, Maryland Kunzang Palyul Choling's main temple is located in suburban Maryland surrounded by the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. The main shrine is an antebellum-style mansion renovated into a Tibetan Buddhist style situated on 17 acres to one side of River Road, with 65 acres of walking trails in the Peace Park. There are over twenty stupas, many Tibetan prayer wheels, gardens, and Buddha statues throughout