Thank you, Protonk. It's not a point of debate at this point, but in case it comes up again (as it has many times), I believe Jetsunma is a public figure for these reasons:  

 ::* Her recognition has been covered by Associated Press and picked up by such newspapers as the Washington Post and the New York Times. She's had articles written about her in Mirabella and Tricycle magazine. 
 ::* She filmed a documentary about herself in 1995, expressing her hopes to have it played on PBS. 
 ::* She's produced and promoted several CDs of her singing. 
 ::* She's been interviewed by Elle magazine, the Washington Post, and the Associated Press.  
 ::* She participated in a biography that was published by Random House. She was interviewed for a book about American Buddhist teachers. 
 ::* She sold her life story to Hollywood, specifically Turner Productions. 

 :: There's more. I haven't included smaller local papers like the Gaithersburg Gazette and Sedona's Red Rock News but I think the question is settled.