With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
Ngondro Training is the preliminary set of practices to transform and prepare you for a deeper path, building a foundation of practice in the basics of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Ngondro teachings consist of a series of practices that provide comprehensive guidance for transforming, purifying, and refining the mind’s suffering. While Ngondro is primarily an inner, personal practice, it is supported and nourished through active participation in the life of the Sangha and the community.
Buddhist practice is sustained, nurtured, and safeguarded by a community of fellow practitioners, known as the Sangha. This concept is reflected in the idea of the Sangha as one of the three “refuges” for those on the path to liberation. Along with the Buddha and the Dharma, the Sangha forms the Three Jewels, which hold immense significance and can offer profound inspiration.
The important role that community has in a life of ngondro practice is often undervalued or overlooked. Practicing alone can be difficult, but a community of practitioners offers mutual support.
If you’ve been on the fence about starting ngondro or struggling to finish it, you might be ready to deepen your practice by embarking on this first module of teachings.
All modules will have access to:
Live practices weekly practice sessions
Monthly accountability partner check-in’s
Deep dives into ngondro teachings
A supportive community to share your practice
Every Monday you will have the opportunity to practice the ngondro, ask questions, talk to the sangha, and find out about upcoming group practices.
See what the community about their transformative experiences in Ngondro Training
“I got a lot more kindness for myself, which I was in need of.”
~ G.
“This was such a great experience that it made me think a lot about the possibility of this practice, the high level of beauty, magic, integrity, tenderness – all of it’s there. It is a better world. It’s a world that I can go to and that’s really a refuge. I didn’t know what a difference I would feel when I started this. The shimmering of life is dulled down for all these weird reasons, and Ngondro is a great remedy for that.”
~ I.R.
“Just being able to persevere and go beyond so many limitations in both body and mind, and through that glimpsing into some profound potentials of the path – this entire year it has been my refuge, the practice will continue to reverberate even once I complete the recitations, and I think that it’s given me an orientation for my life going forward.” ~ C.P.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
As the wildfires in Los Angeles continue to affect our beloved friends, firefighters, wildlife, and countless others, we are reminded of the profound importance of our practice. In the face of suffering, we are called to breathe it in, meet it with compassion, and respond with a steady heart and mind.
Meditation gives us the tools to meet life’s challenges, and now more than ever, the world needs skilled, compassionate teachers to guide others in this transformative practice. Bearing witness to these events strengthens our commitment to training and empowering new meditation teachers.
In light of the ongoing circumstances, we have decided to extend the early enrollment deadline for our Meditation Teacher Training (MTT) program to January 24th. This allows more of you the opportunity to join us in cultivating the skills needed to share meditation with others, helping to heal the world one breath at a time.
Why Meditation Teachers Are Needed Now More Than Ever:
To guide communities through moments of crisis with mindfulness and compassion.
To support resilience and emotional well-being in times of uncertainty.
To empower others to turn suffering into a path of transformation.
Our 200-hour MTT program begins on February 10, 2025, and provides a comprehensive foundation for leading meditative practices, whether in your local community, workplace, or personal life.
Let us come together to dedicate our practice to those affected by the fires and embody this practice in action:
Dedicate Your Practice: In your meditations this week, dedicate your efforts to those impacted by the fires. Visualize their safety and well-being, and hold space for their healing and recovery.
Offer Support: If you’re able, consider donating to relief efforts or volunteering with organizations providing aid to those in need. Every act of generosity makes a difference.
Join Us in Meditation and Prayer: Our New Year Meditation Marathon continues until Jan 21st. We invite you to join us online at 8am PT daily for a session of meditation and prayer dedicated to relief for all beings. Click Here to Join.
As a sangha, we hold a unique power to channel collective compassion and intention. Together, let us shine a light of hope for all those in need.
May all beings find peace, safety, and relief from suffering.
With deep gratitude and love, The Team at the Buddhist Studies Institute
Meditation Teacher Training
200 Hour Certification
February 10 – August 4, 2025
Early Enrollment Deadline Extended to Jan 24th
Are you ready to embark on a journey that will transform your life and the lives of those around you? The Buddhist Studies Institute’s 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training is more than just a course—it’s an opportunity to deeply connect with your inner wisdom and step into the role of a guide, helping others find peace, clarity, and balance in today’s challenging world.
This comprehensive program combines live classes, mentoring, and practical experience, offering you an in-depth exploration of traditional meditation practices, Buddhist philosophy, and ethical teachings. It’s designed not only to cultivate your own meditation practice but also to equip you with the skills, compassion, and integrity needed to lead others on their path to healing and transformation.
Under the guidance of Pema Khandro, you will learn to teach meditation in a way that addresses the unique needs of modern life, bringing lasting peace and profound change to individuals and communities. This training is for those who feel called to make a meaningful impact and help others cultivate inner peace in a world that needs it now more than ever.
If you’re ready to transform your own life and inspire lasting change in others, we invite you to join us in this powerful journey.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles including our beloved friends, firefighters, and all the wildlife that has been harmed. Bearing witness to suffering is why we practice and how we practice. We breathe it in instead of running away from it, and meet it with compassion as we visualize and pray for the fires to cease, for the rescue, healing, and recovery. White Tara mantra is what we recite during natural disasters to pacifiy obstacles and relieve suffering. I invite all the sangha to join me in reciting white tara mantras and sending these prayers to Los Angeles. The mantra is:
Om Tare tuttare ture mama ayur punya jnana pustim kuruye svaha
It’s during these challenging times that the role of a meditation teacher becomes even more vital. If you are called to deepen your practice and help others find peace, clarity, and balance, we invite you to join the Buddhist Studies Institute’s 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training.
This program is not just a certification; it’s an opportunity to connect with your inner wisdom and learn how to guide others toward healing, especially in times of crisis. It’s designed to empower you with the skills, compassion, and integrity needed to lead others through their own transformative journeys—just as we do in our communities when facing moments of suffering.
Led by Pema Khandro, this comprehensive training will guide you through traditional meditation practices, Buddhist philosophy, and ethical teachings. You will receive live classes, mentoring, and practical experience, equipping you to become a meditation teacher who can bring some relief to those who need it most.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your own meditation practice or feel called to guide others, this training offers something for everyone. If you’re seeking a more profound connection with your inner self, the 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training will help you cultivate awareness, clarity, and emotional resilience. It’s an opportunity to enrich your own spiritual journey while preparing to share the healing benefits of meditation with those around you.
Registration is now open for the 2025 session, beginning February 10th. There are limited spots available, and we encourage you to secure your place today.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
Ngondro Training Introduction to a profound Vajrayana practice that prepares practitioners for advanced Buddhist meditation.
Starts January 27th, Mondays at 5pm PT
Ngondro meditations are the cornerstone of deep spiritual transformation, guiding practitioners to confront and heal key aspects of their lives—identity, relationships, body, and the past and future. These practices purify, train, and empower the mind and body, addressing critical areas of Buddhist psychology such as identity, forgiveness, empowerment, and relational dynamics.
This comprehensive Ngondro course will be taught in four modules over the course of one year, supporting steady progress in your practice. Module 1, The Field of Buddhas, will focus on the purification of speech and the generation of the refuge field. This practice helps you connect with your lineage, learn about your spiritual resources, and build a strong foundation of support for your journey.
This course is an invitation to begin a deep, transformative process that will guide you to spiritual freedom, healing, and a more empowered, authentic life.
Discover what our participants are saying about their transformative experiences in Ngondro Training
“I just want to keep doing Ngondro my whole life!”
~ R.H.
“What a precious opportunity it has been to receive the transmissions, dharma teachings and practices of the Longchen Nyingtig Ngondro from Pema Khandro Rinpoche! Her generous offering is unparalleled, in that here in the West we can receive these essential, accessible and undiluted teachings within an historical context, so that we dismantle the colonial tendency to extract and accommodate our preferences.
Having completed Longchen Nyingtig Ngondro even just once has been foundational to my life and my practices.
Refuge and Bodhicitta continues to support me to align with the lineage of the enlightened nature of mind, bow to all who bow and open my heart for the alleviation of suffering for all Beings.
Vajrasattva practice continues to humble me in dissolving my karmic knots and opening to the immense forgiveness available in all times.
Mandala Offering continues to water the seeds of generosity beyond expectation.” ~ K.W.
“Just being able to persevere and go beyond so many limitations in both body and mind, and through that glimpsing into some profound potentials of the path – this entire year it has been my refuge, the practice will continue to reverberate even once I complete the recitations, and I think that it’s given me an orientation for my life going forward.” ~ C.P.
“This was such a great experience that it made me think a lot about the possibility of this practice, the high level of beauty, magic, integrity, immortality, tenderness – all of it’s there. It is a better world. It’s a world that I can go to and that’s really like a refuge. I didn’t know what a difference I would feel when I started this. The shimmering of life is dulled down for all these weird reasons, and Ngondro is a great remedy for that.”
A 21-day online meditation practice with certified meditation teachers of the Buddhist Studies Institute.
January 1-21 Online 8am PT | 11am ET | 4pm GMT
30 Minute Meditation
Start your New Year with intention and meditation. Our New Year Meditation Marathon offers daily 30-minute guided Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation sessions, designed to help you cultivate inner peace, clarity, and resilience as you embrace change and growth.
Each session includes an exploration of the Five Buddhist Precepts, providing a foundation for personal transformation and deeper self-awareness. For those seeking community and reflection, an optional discussion follows from 8:30-8:45am PT, creating space to connect and share insights.
Step into the year ahead with purpose, peace, and presence. Empower yourself with the tools to live a more meaningful and compassionate life.
The Meditation Marathon is led by certified instructors from the Buddhist Studies Institute. Learn more about becoming a certified meditation instructor with our 2025 Meditation Teacher Training
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
The Buddhist Studies Institute and Pema Khandro wish you a joyous, virtuous, and peaceful 2025!
New Year Meditation Marathon
Start the Year with a Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery
January 1-21 Online 8am PT | 11am ET | 4pm GMT
30 Minutes Meditation
This New Year, open the door to profound personal transformation through meditation. Our New Year Meditation Marathon invites you to embrace change, growth, and deeper self-awareness with daily 30-minute guided sessions (8-8:30am PT) of Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation.
Throughout this transformative journey, we’ll explore the Five Buddhist Precepts, helping you cultivate inner peace, clarity, and compassion—tools to create lasting change in your life. An optional community discussion from 8:30-8:45am PT provides space for further reflection and connection, enriching your experience and supporting your growth.
Join us as we step into the year ahead with a commitment to personal transformation, empowering you to live with greater purpose, peace, and presence.
The Meditation Marathon is led by certified instructors from the Buddhist Studies Institute. Learn more about becoming a certified meditation instructor with our 2025 Meditation Teacher Training
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
As we step into a new year, it’s a time for reflection and renewal—a moment to align our intentions with compassion and wisdom. At the Buddhist Studies Institute, we are inspired by the extraordinary legacy of teachings from Pema Khandro and Tibetan Buddhism, and the profound transformation they bring to people’s lives.
More people than ever are seeking the tools of insight, mindfulness, and resilience to navigate the challenges of life. Some come in search of solace; others, in search of profound wisdom. Regardless of their journey, we are here to meet them with open hearts and the life-changing teachings of the Dharma.
This year, through your generous support, we’ve:
Provided scholarships and reduced-cost access to teachings, retreats, and courses for students in financial need.
Offered online programs that reached thousands globally, connecting seekers with meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist philosophy.
Continued our commitment to preserving and sharing the precious lineage teachings of Tibetan Buddhism through rigorous scholarship and heartfelt practice.
Your generosity is the bridge that allows these offerings to flourish. Without the support of our community, our ability to provide accessible teachings would not be possible.
As we approach the year’s end, we invite you to partner with us in continuing this vital work. Your tax-deductible donation ensures that anyone—regardless of financial ability—can find refuge and guidance through these transformative teachings.
If these teachings have touched your life, you know the immeasurable value they hold. Let’s make 2025 a year of expanded access to wisdom, compassion, and inner peace for all.
We’ve raised $6,000 so far, please help us reach our $25,000 goal. Click the button below to make your New Year’s gift today.
“Thank you for making these teachings available. They’ve brought light into my darkest days.” — Sarah F., North Carolina
“Pema Khandro’s teachings have changed my life. The kindness and clarity of this community are a gift to the world.” — Kay C., Los Angeles
Thank you for your kindness, your practice, and your support. Together, we can bring the Dharma to more people in 2025.
With deep gratitude, The Team at Buddhist Studies Institute
*Buddhist Studies Institute is a project of Ngakpa International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
Thanks to your support, our community continues to grow, offering the profound Longchen Nyingthig teachings from Khandro-La, Bhutan Pilgrimage, The Six Yogas Online and so much more. We’ve expanded our reach with online programs across time zones, enhanced accessibility through recordings, and nurtured a loving sangha united by integrity and deep practice.
This year, we served 100+ members, offering 131 programs, retreats, and trainings. Looking ahead, we’re launching a Chaplaincy Program, Advanced Meditation Instructor Training, and hosting esteemed teachers for shedra-level teachings, retreats, and empowerments.
Help Us Meet the Challenge Your contributions ensure stability and support for our growing programs. Together, we cultivate resilience and compassion on the path of the Awakened Mind.
Thank you for your generosity, vision, and love. Let’s rise to meet this moment with strength and heart.
Buddhist Studies Institute is a project of Ngakpa International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Take Courses by Donation this Holiday Season
This holiday season, the Buddhist Studies Institute invites you to access transformative teachings by donation. For a limited time, explore select courses on meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and ethics—designed to support your spiritual growth and bring clarity and peace to your life.
Deepen your understanding, cultivate inner peace, and align with the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. Contribute what you can and join our community on this path of transformation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your spiritual journey. Click below to begin today.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
Wishing you Peace, Health and Prosperity this Holiday Season and in the New Year!
~ Best Wishes from Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute
Meditation Teacher Training
200 Hour Certification
February 10 – August 4, 2025
Are you ready to embark on a journey that will transform your life and the lives of those around you? The Buddhist Studies Institute’s 200-hour Meditation Teacher Training is more than just a course—it’s an opportunity to deeply connect with your inner wisdom and step into the role of a guide, helping others find peace, clarity, and balance in today’s challenging world.
This comprehensive program combines live classes, mentoring, and practical experience, offering you an in-depth exploration of traditional meditation practices, Buddhist philosophy, and ethical teachings. It’s designed not only to cultivate your own meditation practice but also to equip you with the skills, compassion, and integrity needed to lead others on their path to healing and transformation.
Under the guidance of Pema Khandro, you will learn to teach meditation in a way that addresses the unique needs of modern life, bringing lasting peace and profound change to individuals and communities. This training is for those who feel called to make a meaningful impact and help others cultivate inner peace in a world that needs it now more than ever.
If you’re ready to transform your own life and inspire lasting change in others, we invite you to join us in this powerful journey.
As we move past the solstice and into the holiday season, it’s the perfect time for reflection and transformation. At the Buddhist Studies Institute, we help individuals tap into their inner potential and create lasting change in their lives and communities.
This holiday season, we invite you to invest in your own transformation and support others on their journey. Your donation helps sustain the teachings and practices that empower individuals to connect with their true selves and make a meaningful impact in the world.
Join us in fostering real transformation—help illuminate the path to peace, wisdom, and purpose for all.
Buddhist Studies Institute is a project of Ngakpa International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Ngondro Training: Heart of the Vast Expanse with Pema Khandro
Module 1 begins January 27
5pm PT | 8pm ET | 12pm AEDT
Ngondro meditations are the cornerstone of deep spiritual transformation, guiding practitioners to confront and heal key aspects of their lives—identity, relationships, body, and the past and future. These practices purify, train, and empower the mind and body, addressing critical areas of Buddhist psychology such as identity, forgiveness, empowerment, and relational dynamics.
This comprehensive Ngondro course will be taught in four modules over the course of one year, supporting steady progress in your practice. Module 1, The Field of Buddhas, will focus on the purification of speech and the generation of the refuge field. This practice helps you connect with your lineage, learn about your spiritual resources, and build a strong foundation of support for your journey.
This course is an invitation to begin a deep, transformative process that will guide you to spiritual freedom, healing, and a more empowered, authentic life.
Start the Year with a Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery
January 1-21 Online 8am PT | 11am ET | 4pm GMT
30 Minutes Meditation
This New Year, open the door to profound personal transformation through meditation. Our New Year Meditation Marathon invites you to embrace change, growth, and deeper self-awareness with daily 30-minute guided sessions (8-8:30am PT) of Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation.
Throughout this transformative journey, we’ll explore the Five Buddhist Precepts, helping you cultivate inner peace, clarity, and compassion—tools to create lasting change in your life. An optional community discussion from 8:30-8:45am PT provides space for further reflection and connection, enriching your experience and supporting your growth.
Join us as we step into the year ahead with a commitment to personal transformation, empowering you to live with greater purpose, peace, and presence.
The Meditation Marathon is led by certified instructors from the Buddhist Studies Institute. Learn more about becoming a certified meditation instructor with our 2025 Meditation Teacher Training
Embrace Transforming Take Courses by Donation this Holiday Season
This holiday season, the Buddhist Studies Institute is offering a special opportunity to access transformative teachings by donation. For a limited time, you can explore select courses on meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and ethics—designed to support your spiritual growth and bring peace and clarity into your life.
These teachings are an invitation to deepen your understanding, cultivate inner peace, and align with the transformative power of Buddhist wisdom. Contribute what you can, and join our community in this journey of personal growth and profound change.
Don’t miss this chance to invest in your spiritual journey. Click below to explore our courses and begin your path of transformation today.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
As we approach the solstice, a time of transition from darkness to light, we reflect on the past to inspire the future. For over 2,500 years, the Buddhism has carried forward a lineage dedicated to deep transformation—both of individuals and society.
Protesting and self-help are important, but true change requires something deeper. To create lasting transformation, we must address the core of our being. Buddhism provides the path to this profound shift, reaching into the very heart of human nature to bring about lasting change.
This holiday season, we invite you to invest in yourself and others by donating to BSI. Your contribution helps us continue the essential teachings and practices that allow individuals to connect with their true potential, find their purpose, and make a lasting impact in the world.
Join us in nurturing true transformation.
We’ve raised $5000 so far – Please donate now to help us reach our $25,000 Goal!
Buddhist Studies Institute is a project of Ngakpa International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Take Courses by Donation during the Holidays
For a limited time, the Buddhist Studies Institute is offering select courses by donation, allowing you to access profound teachings on meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and ethics at your own pace. These courses are designed to support your spiritual growth, offering valuable insights and practices to bring peace and clarity into your life. Contribute what you can and join our community in deepening your understanding and connection to these transformative teachings. Click below to explore these offerings.
Ngondro Training Heart of the Vast Expanse with Pema Khandro
Module 1 begins January 27
5pm PT | 8pm ET | 12pm AEDT
Ngondro meditations are the foundation of spiritual growth, focusing on identity, body, relationships, and the past and future. These practices purify, train, and empower the mind and body, addressing key areas of Buddhist psychology such as identity, relationships, forgiveness, and empowerment.
This comprehensive course on Ngondro will be taught in four modules to support the accomplishment of practice over the period of one year. Module 1, The Field of Buddhas, will focus on purification of speech and generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey.
“There are different approaches to Ngondro, for some schools of Tibetan Buddhism it is reserved for much later. But for the Nyingma tradition we open the door to Ngondro meditations sooner, because for us it is the core or nucleus of spiritual training.” – Pema Khandro on Ngondro
Begin the year with a transformative journey of self-discovery through meditation. Our New Year Meditation Marathon invites you to embrace change and growth through daily 30-minute guided sessions (8-8:30am PT) of Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation. Alongside the practice, we’ll explore the Five Buddhist Precepts, helping you cultivate inner peace, clarity, and compassion. An optional community discussion from 8:30-8:45am PT offers further reflection and connection. Join us as we open the door to profound transformation in the year ahead.
The Meditation Marathon is led by certified instructors from the Buddhist Studies Institute. Learn more about becoming a certified meditation instructor with our 2025 Meditation Teacher Training
Embark on a transformative journey in 2025 and become a certified meditation teacher with the Buddhist Studies Institute’s comprehensive 200-hour program. This course blends live classes, mentoring, and practicums, diving deeply into traditional meditation practices, Buddhist philosophy, and ethics. Tailored to address the challenges of modern life, it equips future teachers with the wisdom, integrity, and compassion needed to guide diverse communities. Led by Pema Khandro, this program empowers you to learn the art of meditation instruction and bring lasting peace and transformation to a world in need.
With Pema Khandro, Father Francis Tiso, Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Shugen Roshi, Julie Rogers, Jim Tucker, M.D., Koshin Paley Ellison and Dr. William McGrath
Open Dates
Teachings on Death and Dying Facing realities of dying, death, and grief are central to our human experience. This program offers practical instructions for helping others in the process of dying and an overview of essential knowledge on death, bardo, and rebirth. This includes self-paced lectures on dying, loss, grief, and illness from Lamas and scholars of Buddhist Studies. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Dr. Nicole Willock, Julie Regan, Ph.D., Pema Khandro, Lama Willa Miller, Amy Langenberg , Dr. Ann Gleig, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Lama Rod Owens, Dr. Jim Hopper, Dr. Elizabeth Call and Damchö Diana Finnegan
Open Dates
Join Pema Khandro and a group of esteemed Buddhist Studies scholars for an exploration of the history of Buddhist Sexualities from celibacy, to sacred sexuality in Buddhist Tantra and a simple approach to embodied integration with nature in Dzogchen. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
This course on Buddhist Ethics goes through the Five Buddhist Precepts. The five precepts form the basis of a Buddhist way of life and the vows that Buddhists Seek to follow. The Five Precepts are a discipline of freedom, honor, and precision that cover the potent themes of life from the extraordinary perspective of non-duality. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for these precious teachings. Your contribution, big and small, helps makes in-depth Buddhist training and education more accessible for all. May the teachings spread and flourish!
With Holly Gayley, Judith Simmer-Brown, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg , Damchö Diana Finnegan, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo and Pema Khandro
Open Dates
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, and the role of the consort in historical Tibet, and contemporary manifestations and so much more. Support the Buddhist Studies Institute by donating for…
Build your life on a solid foundation. Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a…
Meditation Teacher Training 2025 For Teachers Beholding a Diverse Beautiful World The Meditation Teacher Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives. People all over the world have turned to Buddhist meditation as a source of wisdom. Meditation offers a powerful method to access a sense of spaciousness, peace and authentic presence. From a Buddhist point of view, when we know how to meditate, we learn how to work with mind and emotions. We have a practice for unraveling conditioned scripts and unconscious habits. Meditation is a pathway to discovering human…
All are welcome to join Pema Khandro for our annual Tibetan Lunar New Year Celebration This is a free online program; open to the public. Vajrakilaya Dances Performed Losar Address with Pema Khandro Celebration of 21-Day Meditation Marathoners Dedications of Merit Year of the Wood Snake Begins! Donate below any amount to celebrate The Buddhist Studies Institute’s mission to help the Buddhist Teachings flourish.
Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa. It refers to the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation…
30 Minutes Meditation + 15 Minutes Optional Group Discussion
Start the year with a transformative journey of self-discovery through the meditation. Our New Year Meditation Marathon offers daily 30 minute guided sessions (8-8:30am PT) of Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation, along with reflections on the Five Buddhist Precepts, helping you cultivate peace, clarity, and compassion. Optional community discussion 8:30-8:45am PT.
The Meditation Marathon is led by certified instructors from the Buddhist Studies Institute. Learn more about becoming a certified meditation instructor with our 2025 Meditation Teacher Training
Become a certified meditation teacher in 2025 with the Buddhist Studies Institute’s robust 200-hour program. This self-paced course combines live classes, mentoring, and practicums, delving into traditional meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and ethics. Designed to address the complexities of modern life, it empowers teachers to guide diverse communities with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. Join a transformative journey led by Pema Khandro to learn the art of meditation instruction and bring peace to a turbulent world.
We are grateful for donations to support the End of Year 2024 Buddhist Studies Institute Fundraising drive. We are a grassroots organization and all of our funding is based on individual donations.
We hope you will remember us in your end of year giving and of course, if you can’t, then we also enjoy the continual support of volunteers, good will and prayers, the positive energy that has keeps us going! So please give however you can.
We have an exciting new year of programs and look forward to connecting with each other each other again and again. To make a donation, you can click the donate button below or mail your check to the address listed below. No amount is too small or too large! Every gift counts and makes a difference.
To gift by check, please make payable to Buddhist Studies Institute, and mail to:
Buddhist Studies Institute
P.O. Box 2396 Nevada City, California 95946 USA
Buddhist Studies Institute is a project of Ngakpa International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to seeing you for a full schedule of classes in 2025!