
Pema Khandro is an internationally renowned teacher and scholar of Buddhist philosophy. Ordained in the Nyingma lineage, enthroned as a tulku, and trained as an academic, her teachings celebrate the dynamic coalescence of tradition and the modern context. She is the founder of Ngakpa International and its three projects: The Buddhist Studies Institute, Dakini Mountain and the Yogic Medicine Institute. In her work as a Buddhist teacher she is an authorized Lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and was enthroned to carry on the lineage of her predecessor, the first Pema Khandro, an early twentieth century yogini in Eastern Tibet. She has led a vibrant world-wide community since 1999. Through the Buddhist Studies Institute, she also offers a complete curriculum of training in Tibetan meditation and Buddhist Philosophy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree specializing in Tibetan buddhism and she is currently completing her Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies at the University of Virginia. Her scholarly research focuses on the history of Dzogchen and upon Women, Gender and Sexuality in Tibetan Buddhism.
For full bio and website, visit: PemaKhandro.org
Pema Khandro’s Extended Biography
Events with Pema Khandro

May 24, 2022
Women in Tantric Buddhism Live Interviews & Self Paced Classes with Pema Khandro, Holy Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby & Amy Langenberg. Course Description This is the missing history of women in Tantric Buddhism. This course addresses the fascinating story of nuns, mothers, teachers, consorts, prophets and disciples. Taught by scholar-practitioners whose groundbreaking research on women and Buddhism has changed the way we think of Buddhist history. This course will address the history of women in Buddhism, the history of yoginis and dakinis in India and Tibet, the stories of important Buddhist women, Buddhist philosophy on gender, sex and sexuality,…

May 25, 2022
Women in Tantric Buddhism Live Interviews & Self Paced Classes with Pema Khandro, Holy Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby & Amy Langenberg. Course Description This is the missing history of women in Tantric Buddhism. This course addresses the fascinating story of nuns, mothers, teachers, consorts, prophets and disciples. Taught by scholar-practitioners whose groundbreaking research on women and Buddhism has changed the way we think of Buddhist history. This course will address the history of women in Buddhism, the history of yoginis and dakinis in India and Tibet, the stories of important Buddhist women, Buddhist philosophy on gender, sex and sexuality,…

May 26, 2022
Women in Tantric Buddhism Live Interviews & Self Paced Classes with Pema Khandro, Holy Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby & Amy Langenberg. Course Description This is the missing history of women in Tantric Buddhism. This course addresses the fascinating story of nuns, mothers, teachers, consorts, prophets and disciples. Taught by scholar-practitioners whose groundbreaking research on women and Buddhism has changed the way we think of Buddhist history. This course will address the history of women in Buddhism, the history of yoginis and dakinis in India and Tibet, the stories of important Buddhist women, Buddhist philosophy on gender, sex and sexuality,…

June 1, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

June 2 - 5, 2022
Vajrayogini Retreat Online with Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and Pema Khandro June 2-5th 9am – 12pm PST Join us for this special event, the Vajrayogini Empowerment, an initiation into the inner tantra practice of generation stage meditation ~ led by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche and Lama Pema Khandro.Vajrayogini is the female buddha embodying radical presence. To practice Vajrayogini meditation is to cut through to innermost wisdom and innate clarity. This exceptional program will feature four half-days of instructions, empowerment and meditations of Vajrayogini. It will be led by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche who will give the empowerment and Lama Pema…

June 8, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

June 14, 2022
With Khenpo Gawang and Pema Khandro Khenpo Gawan and Pema Khandro and the beloved dog Sweat Pea at the House of Bodhichitta in 2016 Saga Dawa is the most auspicious day of the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar and a day celebrated by Buddhists all around the world. It is the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and the day he passed away into parinirvana. The effects of actions on this day are said to be multiplied by ten million times because of the spiritual power of this full moon on the fourth month. Join us for prayers and aspirations on…

June 21, 2022
Buddhism After #MeToo An Online Dialogue with Damchö Diana Finnegan and Pema Khandro A dialogue between two Buddhist teachers and scholars, making sense of Buddhism, lineage, transmission and devotion in light of abuse revelations in the #metoo movement. This conversation focuses on how these issues have shaped our approaches to dharma practice and teaching. This is not proscriptive advice, but instead a conversation and reflection on how our practice and teaching approaches have changed and will continue to change with great concern for all survivors and for the future of women in Buddhism. This program is offered free and…

June 22, 2022
Buddhist Philosophy Online ~ Open Teaching Webcast 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…

June 23, 2022
Meditation and Instructions on letting go of fictions and self-deception in Tibetan Chod meditation. Link to text will be shared during the program. 1pm – 3pm San Francisco | 4pm – 6pm New York | 9pm – 11pm London | 6am – 8am Sydney Timezone Converter Chod is a meditation method through meeting fear and neurosis with compassion and skill. Rather than renounce these mind states, in Chod, they are allowed to transform and be reintegrated as keys to innate wisdom. Donations Welcome ~ No one turned away for lack of funds

June 29, 2022
Ngakpa Training The 5 year curriculum of Ngakpa Training offers an in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga, and Dzogchen. For more information about Ngakpa Training go to https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/ngakpa-training/ Course Format The self-paced modules and quizzes can be taken on your own timing and in linear fashion. Upon passing the quizzes of the self-paced modules, students may enter the live online classes. Live online class meets twice a month online, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy.…

July 6, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

July 13, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

July 15 - 17, 2022
Fierce Compassion The Troma Nagmo Retreat Online With Pema Khandro July 15-17th, 2022 Description Compassion has many forms, it can be gentle and warm, but it can also be decisive and fierce. In Vajrayana, the fierce compassion is that which is self-less, beyond the duality of self/other, in the state of great clarity and care for every single being and the entire situation. The retreat focuses on the fierce compassion meditation of Troma Nagmo, the black wrathful lady, supreme dakini who escorts beings to the state beyond fear and fierce form of Vajrayogini, The teachings and practices will focus…

July 20, 2022
Ngakpa Training The 5 year curriculum of Ngakpa Training offers an in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga, and Dzogchen. For more information about Ngakpa Training go to https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/ngakpa-training/ Course Format The self-paced modules and quizzes can be taken on your own timing and in linear fashion. Upon passing the quizzes of the self-paced modules, students may enter the live online classes. Live online class meets twice a month online, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy.…

July 23, 2022
Meditation and Instructions on letting go of fictions and self-deception in Tibetan Chod meditation. Link to text will be shared during the program. 1pm – 3pm San Francisco | 4pm – 6pm New York | 9pm – 11pm London | 6am – 8am Sydney Timezone Converter Chod is a meditation method through meeting fear and neurosis with compassion and skill. Rather than renounce these mind states, in Chod, they are allowed to transform and be reintegrated as keys to innate wisdom. Donations Welcome ~ No one turned away for lack of funds

July 27, 2022
Buddhist Philosophy Online ~ Open Teaching Webcast 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…

August 3, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

August 10, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

August 17, 2022
Ngakpa Training The 5 year curriculum of Ngakpa Training offers an in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga, and Dzogchen. For more information about Ngakpa Training go to https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/ngakpa-training/ Course Format The self-paced modules and quizzes can be taken on your own timing and in linear fashion. Upon passing the quizzes of the self-paced modules, students may enter the live online classes. Live online class meets twice a month online, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy.…

August 22, 2022
Meditation and Instructions on letting go of fictions and self-deception in Tibetan Chod meditation. Link to text will be shared during the program. 1pm – 3pm San Francisco | 4pm – 6pm New York | 9pm – 11pm London | 6am – 8am Sydney Timezone Converter Chod is a meditation method through meeting fear and neurosis with compassion and skill. Rather than renounce these mind states, in Chod, they are allowed to transform and be reintegrated as keys to innate wisdom. Donations Welcome ~ No one turned away for lack of funds

August 24, 2022
Buddhist Philosophy Online ~ Open Teaching Webcast 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…

September 7, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

September 14, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

September 21, 2022
Ngakpa Training The 5 year curriculum of Ngakpa Training offers an in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga, and Dzogchen. For more information about Ngakpa Training go to https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/ngakpa-training/ Course Format The self-paced modules and quizzes can be taken on your own timing and in linear fashion. Upon passing the quizzes of the self-paced modules, students may enter the live online classes. Live online class meets twice a month online, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy.…

September 28, 2022
Buddhist Philosophy Online ~ Open Teaching Webcast 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…

October 5, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

October 12, 2022
Vajrayana Training is offered in modules. The courses are non-sequential and can be taken in any order. In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism, make sense of empowerments, and go deep into understanding oneself, one’s own world, and how to make better sense of one’s own mind. Click here for full curriculum and details – Vajrayana Training. For questions or help with enrollment, please contact Membership@Ngakpa.org.

October 19, 2022
Ngakpa Training The 5 year curriculum of Ngakpa Training offers an in-depth study of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga, and Dzogchen. For more information about Ngakpa Training go to https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/ngakpa-training/ Course Format The self-paced modules and quizzes can be taken on your own timing and in linear fashion. Upon passing the quizzes of the self-paced modules, students may enter the live online classes. Live online class meets twice a month online, in addition to reading assignments, practice requirements, oral presentations and debates on Buddhist philosophy.…

October 26, 2022
Buddhist Philosophy Online ~ Open Teaching Webcast 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…