Pema Khandro is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, humanitarian and scholar specializing in the philosophy and practice of Tibet’s Buddhist Yogis.
Her mission is to make in-depth Buddhist education accessible, to open the doorway to the great treasures of philosophy, meditation, medicine and art contained in Tibetan Buddhism.
Pema Khandro is the spiritual leader of the Community of Buddhist Yogis in North America, she is the founder of Ngakpa International, the Yogic Medicine Institute, the MahaSiddha Center in BerkeleyCalifornia and Ngakpa House, a charity which supports the education of children and elders in the Himalayas.
Pema Khandro is an authorized Lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages and one of few westerners recognized and enthroned as a tulku. She is a teacher of Dzogchen and Vajrayana Buddhism, teachings that emphasize cultivating awareness and presence as the goal of the path.
Pema Khandro specializes in the teachings of Dzogchen, Chod and the Six Yogas; esoteric Buddhist practices for lay people and householders which focus on direct access to cultivating intrinsic wisdom.
She was ordained in the Nyingma tradition and was authorized to pass this non-monastic lineage of ordained Buddhist Yogis, also known as naljorpas and ngakpas on to her students, a task which she has been dedicated to since 1999.
Pema Khandro’s teachings and activities emphasize the importance of the body-mind connection, natural health and nutrition. She is certified as Tibetan Naturopath and has led dozens of courses in nutrition, yoga teacher trainings, yoga therapy trainings, meditation trainings and courses in natural medicine for health practitioners from every field.
Her work is also academic. She spends her days studying Tibetan Buddhist history and researching the philosophical tradition, stories, culture and medical practices of the Buddhist Yogis. She holds a master’s degree specializing in the study of Tibetan Buddhism and is currently completing a Phd specializing in Tibetan studies. She speaks English, Tibetan, Chinese and Spanish languages.
Pema Khandro has been featured in Yoga Journal as one of the “young teachers not to miss,” on TV, on numerous radio interviews, and her writing is also featured in the February 2015 issue of Buddhadharma quarterly.
Today, Pema Khandro continues to be an advocate of the relevance of traditions of Tibet’s Buddhist Yogis as Buddhism takes shape in North America. She runs a residential center, leads a thriving community, runs a clinic and non-profit organization. She teaches courses regularly, pursues research projects and continues to cultivate a close relationship with her students and friends who work together in Ngakpa Intl and the North American Community of Buddhist Yogis.
For full bio and website, visit: PemaKhandro.org
Pema Khandro’s Extended Biography
Events with Pema Khandro
Open Teaching WebcastOctober 23, 2019
A 30 minute guided meditation and online teaching with Pema Khandro. Free and open to the public. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life. This class will include meditation instruction, Buddhist teachings, and remedies for navigating through challenges to practice. To help support busy Buddhist Yogis in keeping a regular practice, Open Program Meditation Class is held with Pema Khandro every fourth Wednesday of the month at 6pm-6:30pm PT / 9pm-9:30pm ET. A link for the class will be sent to your email box 24…
Ngakpa Seminary, Level 1October 23, 2019
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhism. The five year curriculum focuses on a study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen. These studies alternate with one on one dialogues with the Lama in phone classes, private meetings and Vajra Sangha retreats. Becoming a Student Course Format The class meets once a month via the web, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy. Pre-requisites This class is open to Ngakpa Seminary students of all levels. Ngakpa Seminary…
Bodhisattva TrainingOctober 30, 2019
Bodhisattva Training is an online class with Pema Khandro Rinpoche held on the 5th Wednesdays of the month. Prerequisite Completion of at least one module of Bodhisattva Training. Tuition $30 Free for Snow Lion Members and above.
Dzogchen Day WebcastNovember 13, 2019
Guided meditation and discussion with Pema Khandro. This 30 minute online class is free and open to Buddhist Yogis Sangha Members only. Click Here to become a Member Join online for this monthly class to practice meditation and discuss esoteric Buddhism with Pema Khandro. This class is a joyful opportunity to connect with the Buddhist Yogis worldwide sangha and raise your questions directly to Pema Khandro Rinpoche. What is Dzogchen Day? Dzogchen is an esoteric Tibetan Buddhist teaching that focuses on waking up to the goodness and wisdom within every human being. In the tradition of Buddhist Yogis, we prioritize the…
Ngakpa Seminary, Level 2November 20, 2019
Description: The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhism. The five year curriculum focuses on a study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen. These studies alternate with one on one dialogues with the Lama in phone classes, private meetings and Vajra Sangha retreats. Click here for more info on Becoming a Student. Course Format The class meets once a month via the web, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy. Pre-requisites This class is open to the “Vajra Sangha,” the long-term personal students of Pema Khandro.…
Open Teaching WebcastNovember 27, 2019
A 30 minute guided meditation and online teaching with Pema Khandro. Free and open to the public. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life. This class will include meditation instruction, Buddhist teachings, and remedies for navigating through challenges to practice. To help support busy Buddhist Yogis in keeping a regular practice, Open Program Meditation Class is held with Pema Khandro every fourth Wednesday of the month at 6pm-6:30pm PT / 9pm-9:30pm ET. A link for the class will be sent to your email box 24…
Ngakpa Seminary, Level 1November 27, 2019
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhism. The five year curriculum focuses on a study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen. These studies alternate with one on one dialogues with the Lama in phone classes, private meetings and Vajra Sangha retreats. Becoming a Student Course Format The class meets once a month via the web, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy. Pre-requisites This class is open to Ngakpa Seminary students of all levels. Ngakpa Seminary…
Dzogchen Day WebcastDecember 11, 2019
Guided meditation and discussion with Pema Khandro. This 30 minute online class is free and open to Buddhist Yogis Sangha Members only. Click Here to become a Member Join online for this monthly class to practice meditation and discuss esoteric Buddhism with Pema Khandro. This class is a joyful opportunity to connect with the Buddhist Yogis worldwide sangha and raise your questions directly to Pema Khandro Rinpoche. What is Dzogchen Day? Dzogchen is an esoteric Tibetan Buddhist teaching that focuses on waking up to the goodness and wisdom within every human being. In the tradition of Buddhist Yogis, we prioritize the…
Ngakpa Seminary, Level 2December 18, 2019
Description: The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhism. The five year curriculum focuses on a study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen. These studies alternate with one on one dialogues with the Lama in phone classes, private meetings and Vajra Sangha retreats. Click here for more info on Becoming a Student. Course Format The class meets once a month via the web, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy. Pre-requisites This class is open to the “Vajra Sangha,” the long-term personal students of Pema Khandro.…