Ani Lhamo was brought up in the Highlands of Scotland, leaving as a teenager to attend university and college. In her early twenties she found herself working as a computer programmer-analyst in Glasgow where, through a friend, she became involved with a small Buddhist group run by people connected to Samye Ling.
Having established a connection with Tibetan Buddhism, over the following years she received many teachings and empowerments from visiting and resident Kagyu Lineage Lamas at Samye Ling, primarily The 12th Tai Situpa, Kentin Thrangu Rinpoche and Akong Tulku Rinpoche.
In 1985 she helped the emerging Samye Dzong Glasgow to buy its first property - which has since progressed to become the flourishing Rokpa Glasgow of the present day. Following her heart-felt wish, in 1989 she left her job and the growing Dharma Centre to join a four year retreat in Purelands Retreat Centre near Samye Ling, and later that year, while in retreat, she received life ordination as a Buddhist nun from the 12th Tai Situpa.
The retreat master, Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, was at that time himself engaged in retreat in his house at Purelands, so the nuns next door grew to respect and depend on him. However, before the retreat ended in March 1993, Lama Yeshe's role had changed significantly as he became more involved in running Samye Ling Monastery and then the Holy Island Project. After retreat Ani Lhamo moved to Samye Ling itself where she helped with administration of the Monastery and Holy Island, and became secretary to Lama Yeshe, who was made Abbot in 1995.
In 1998 she accompanied 10 other women to take part in a ceremony in Bodhgaya in India where she took the vows of a Gelongma, a fully ordained Buddhist nun.
Presently Ani Lhamo continues to help with the running of Samye Ling, as well as teaching meditation and other Buddhist subjects. She occasionally travels to other centres but is mostly based in Samye Ling.