Tsultrim Allione was born in Maine (USA) but spent her childhood in New Hampshire, her name was Joan Rousmanière Ewing at the time.

From an early age she became interested in Buddhism through an aunt of hers. In 1967 she traveled to India and Nepal. In 1969 she decided to make her second trip to the East, on which occasion she was ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bodhgaya by H.S. Karmapa, who gave her the karma name Tsultrim Chodron.

She subsequently spent long periods in solitary retreat, studying the Tibetan language and religion, pilgrimages throughout India and Nepal.

After three and a half years she decided to follow the path of Tibetan Buddhism without the external support of monastic life, returning to the United States where she married. She had four children, one of whom died. She separated and contracted a new marriage. She has continued to study and practice under the guidance of great masters. She has also dedicated herself to teaching Buddhist meditation techniques and has made numerous trips to India and Nepal.