Buddhist Yogis News

Pema Khandro and Buddhist Yogis News Archive

Letter from Pema Khandro

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

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Dear Friends and Members,
I am overjoyed to write to you in these days before our first retreat at Dakini Mountain.

If you have not heard it yet, due to incredible support, we were able to close escrow on Dakini Mountain. Therefore it begins. A new era is dawning.

Dakini Mountain will be our Buddhist retreat center devoted to gender equality and celebrating diversity. I will lead a gathering from June 7th-9th for a Dzogchen meditation retreat and our first time practicing together on the land. I invite you to join me for this special weekend of meditation, mantras, prayers, music, and blessing the land as we celebrate our accomplishment.

This is also the twentieth anniversary of our school. I have been teaching since I was a teenager so these anniversaries carry for me a sense of my own journey as a teacher. I am coming to this land after a long journey since my first dream of founding Dakini Mountain. I am also coming to this land as an indigenous person reclaiming land that long ago was used as an annual gathering place of many tribes. This is why for both personal reasons and with a feeling of calling on support from the ancestors, calling on the Dakinis of the elements and calling on the wisdom from our lineage, I will teach Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis. I feel overjoyed to share this with you and also it feels deeply personal to do so. This is a Vajrayogini prayer from the Khandro Nyingthig, the Dakinis Heart Essence that has continued to be chanted since the fourteenth century. It appears in part of the Precious Garland Chod cycle but originated in the early Dzogchen texts of our lineage. I have usually chanted this as a prayer in grave moments to awaken resilience and courage. But I have never taught it before because I was waiting for Dakini Mountain. This weekend, I will finally teach it and we will chant it in the meadow. I will lead Dzogchen meditation in the rolling hills and forest, and we will have the great luxury and blessing of being together at Dakini Mountain.

Recently I have been reflecting on the power of group meditation practice – listening to others, chanting together with others, sharing with others, sitting silently together, praying for peace together. It can be deeply healing to do group retreat. It is well known that our meditation practice is often deeper in group retreats, but something less well known is the effect of group meditation on healing ourselves from traumas…..

This retreat will set in motion a year of moving in, building, grooming the land, fundraising and accumulating many millions of mantras as we prepare for our grand opening ceremony which will be May 27- May 31st, 2020. At that time we will install the Vajrayogini which will be the presiding deity of the land.

Our weekend on June 7th-9th is an opportunity for us to celebrate our accomplishment in a gathering of members, friends and supporters, for us to pray together and share our aspirations for this beautiful land and for a new era.

Like a flag, suddenly hoisted into the sky, Dakini Mountain will be a declaration of the dignity and beauty of all beings.

Buddhist philosophy has tremendous potential to support gender equality through our teaching of persons without fixed essences and all persons endowed with buddha-nature. Female, male, non-binary, Cis-gender, LGBTQI, trans-gender, beyond gender, religious, non-religious, Buddhist, non-Buddhist, all colors, all races, at Dakini Mountain we celebrate unity through diversity.

Diversity is beautiful.
Diversity is the norm.

The rawness of a wild forest, an open sky, rivers and trees… in the quiet of an open landscape, nature will remind us of our innate wisdom – which is none other than the Dakini principle.

Click Here to Register or for More Information

Dakini Wisdom

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Dakini Mountain is named after the Dakini principle because this term –  Dakini –  expresses the principle of diversity in creative expression that is the phenomenal world.  The notion of Dakini in the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) goes hand in hand with the teachings of the five elements and the five wisdoms. Each of these are represented by a variety of enlightened female figures, known as Dakinis, the Five Wisdom Dakinis.་
They are different colors, different body shapes and different personalities thought to represent the spectrum of wisdom qualities in human beings – joy, clarity, dignity, fearlessness and peace.

Pema Khandro Rinpoche will be leading Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis retreat from June 7th – 9th, which will include ritual land blessings, Buddhist teachings, meditation, yoga, organic vegetarian meals, communing with nature, community enjoyment and celebration!

Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis is a practice to raise radical courage and vivid presence. It invites protection, support and wakefulness within the mandala of the five elemental wisdoms and the meditation of Vajrayogini… 

Sunday 1-5pm – Dakini Mountain Land Blessing
Land blessing & Laughter of the Dakini’s Chod, open to all donors, members, and friends. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our organization and of Pema Khandro Rinpoche’s teaching as well as the epic occasion of acquiring Dakini Mountain.

Click here to Register or for More Details

Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Dear Community of Buddhist Yogis,
You are cordially invited to celebrate Dakini Mountain’s birthday!

Pema Khandro Rinpoche will be leading Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis retreat from June 7th – 9th, which will include ritual land blessings, Buddhist teachings, meditation, yoga, organic vegetarian meals, communing with nature, community enjoyment and celebration!

Sunday 1-5pm – Dakini Mountain Celebration and Land Blessing
Land blessing & Laughter of the Dakini’s Chod, open to all donors, members, and friends. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our organization and of Pema Khandro Rinpoche’s teaching as well as the epic occasion of the launching of Dakini Mountain.

Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis is a practice to raise radical courage and vivid presence. It invites protection, support and wakefulness within the mandala of the five elemental wisdoms and the meditation of Vajrayogini… 

Click here to Register or for More Details

Excellent Path to Enlightenment

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Tonight – Online at 6pm PT

Open Teaching with Pema Khandro – Excellent Path to Enlightenment
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 on the text “Excellent Path to Enlightenment”, and remedies for navigating through challenges to practice.

To help support busy Buddhist Yogis in keeping a regular practice, Open Program Meditation Class is held with Pema Khandro every fourth Wednesday of the month at 6pm-6:30pm PT / 9pm-9:30pm ET.

A link for the class will be sent to your email box 24 hours before the event and again 1 hour before the start time.

Click Here to Register for this Webinar
2019 Year at a Glance

Online Training – Open to Vajra Sangha
April 27  –  Skillful Means Training, 9am – 2pmDakini Mountain
June 7-9  –  Invoking the 100,000 Dakinis
June 9  –  Dakini Mountain Grand Opening Celebration
July 25-28  –  Detox & Rejuvenation Retreat
Aug 21-25  –  Dzogchen Retreat: The Innermost Heart of Freedom
Online Training
Sept 14 -Oct 4  –  Meditation Instructor TrainingKhandro Ling, Virginia
Online Training
Nov (dates TBA)  –  Bodhisattva TrainingSan Diego, CA
Nov 21  –  Public Teaching with Pema Khandro Rinpoche

2019 Weekly Online Classes with Pema Khandro
Wednesdays at 6pm PT / 9pm ET

1st  Wed  –  Vajrayana Training

2nd Wed  –  Dzogchen Day for Members

3rd  Wed  –  Ngakpa Seminary

4th  Wed  –  Open Teaching – Free for the Public

4th Wed   –  Ngakpa Training Level 1, Open to Vajra Sangha, 6:45pm PT
Meditation Mondays
Weekly Online Meditation and Discussion Groups
6pm PT / 9pm ET with Janak Kimmel

1st  Mon  –  Presence as the Path

2nd Mon  –  Vajrayana LIVE

3rd  Mon  –  Presence as the Path

4th  Mon  –  Chod Group Practice

Presence as the Path – Open to All Members

Ngakpa International  |  Info@BuddhistYogis.org

Reconciling Eastern Ideals and Western Psychology

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

April 27th 6pm PST, 9pm EST

Open Teaching, Pema Khandro interviews Dr. Harvey B. Aronson

Isn’t Anger sometimes appropriate? What is the difference between attachment and non-attachment in Psychology and Buddhism?  Is there self-esteem in a system that teaches no-self? What is Ego afterall? How do we find our voices in the context of the Eastern paradigms of the student-teacher relationship? These questions and more will be discussed with Dr. Harvey B. Aaronson, Lama, co-founder of Dawn Mountain, psychotherapist and author of Buddhist Practice on Western Ground: Reconciling Eastern Ideals and Western Psychology.
PemaKhandro_HarveyAaronson

Natural Nirvana

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Join Pema Khandro this weekend in Nevada City, California

Natural Nirvana
Friday, March 15th, 7pm

This free public lecture focuses on Tibet’s Buddhist Yogis, their lifestyle, their philosophy, their history, and practice. Led by Pema Khandro Rinpoche. This evening will include meditation and Q&A.
Letting go, authentic presence, and intrinsic wisdom, this is the heart of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen), the esoteric path of meditation of Tibet’s Buddhist Yogis. This one day meditation retreat will be a spacious experience of cultivating deep relaxation, supporting the body’s natural empty bliss, and training the mind in focused calm. It will include Buddhist philosophy, meditation practices, and yoga.
Vajra Sangha Retreat
Sunday, March 17th, 11am
Closed Retreat for Vajra Sangha Members

Carrying Joy and Sorrow Onto the Path

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

March 12th, 7pm
Carrying Joy and Sorrow Onto the Path
at the New MahaSiddha Center in Richmond, CA

Resilience comes from training in the face of all life circumstances. Happiness, sorrow, good fortune and loss, whatever comes can be taken as an opportunity to delve deeper into one’s true purpose. Join Pema Khandro Rinpoche for this class on the Tibetan Buddhist view of life. You will practice meditation and learn to chant the Tibetan song, Carrying Joy and Sorrow Onto the Path, an anthem for courage, stability and finding inner peace.

Abiding in Unceasing Clarity

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Join Pema Khandro this Sunday in San Diego
Abiding in Unceasing Clarity – The Kunzang Monlam Retreat

At times of high emotion, at the bedside of someone dying, during Solstices, Eclipses, and Earthquakes – Tibetan Buddhists recite the prayer, the Kunzang Monlam to guide all who hear it to liberating awareness. This one-day urban retreat explores this prayer and its extraordinary view of the mind and emotions from the perspective of The Great Perfection (Dzogchen). It explores how our awareness can become distorted by delusions, how to dispel the darkness and return to one’s intrinsic buddha nature.

Special Thanks!
We did it!
The rise of Dakini Mountain is here!

This is only possible through the support of many friends:
Special Thanks to Gyaldak Rinpoche for obstacle-removing rituals, and thanks to Lobsang for sponsoring these practices.
Special Thanks to all those who offered obstacle-removing practices for Dakini Mountain: Namkhai, Tenzin, Ali, Satya, Tashi, Ngawang, Nyima, Khalden, Kunzang, Ganga, Janak, Mikyo, Laura, Tsal’gyur, Fereshteh, Yene, Dedzin, Dawa, Aruna, and Kundini.
Thanks to all who donated to our fundraiser: Richard, Laura, Tashi, Janak, Max, Mary Kay, Khalden, Kerryn, Sheila, Ngawang, Z, Diedra, Trusha, Wendy, Darius, Carol, Abraham, Dee, Malcolm, Satya, Yene, Steve, Elena, Conrad, Valerie, Harlem, Malika, Aruna, Zat, Ahlea, De’Dzin, Shivani, Christopher, Jesse, Ganga, Kabir, Penelope, Kaia, James, Andrew, R. David, Liz, Lou, Shirley, Serge, Ian, Kundini, Ali, Morgane, Cindy, Marianne, Tsal’gyur, Aimee, Malika, Daniel, Bernie, Dagme, Sarah, Richard, Jack, Laurie, Keith, Jeffrey, Kristine, Susan, Jerry, Owen, Rindzin, Anthony, Qin, Brenda & Virgil, Linda, Pualani, Gloria, Richard, Clare, Thokmey, Annie, Deshe, James, Rosanne, Paul, Evangeline, Tim, Mikyo, Karen, Lee, Lise, Preston, Fereshteh, Maria, Devin, Dylan, Denise, Kamali, Yeshe, Marie, Carlos, Dana, Marv, Namtak, John, Robert, Abra, Robin, Mark, Nette, Tazuko, Zoe, Willow, Kellie, Karen, Laura and Katya.

Also, it would not have been possible without our friends who offered their support, extended kindness, offered their time, services, loans, advice:At the Berkeley Center – Mark, Khalden, Tsal’gyur, Darius, Monica Deka, Allison Pretto, Matthew Siegel, Dev.

For Dakini Mountain – Mark, Ross Collins, Neil Kirpalani, Lobsang, Corrina Hansen, Patricia Krowel, Lars and Birken.
Our Dakini Mountain Committee – Ngawang, Satya, Aruna, Zannette, Khalden.
The Residents of the Berkeley Gompa who supported and helped the transition – Namtak, Sara, Nigel, Lorrie, Darius, and Tsal’gyur.
Our 2018 Leadership Team who steadied our ship during the process – Aruna, Satya, Tsal’gyur, De’dzin, and Mikyo.
Our new 2019 Leadership Team – Aruna, Satya, Tsal’gyur, Janak and Kundini.

And the Vajra Sangha who are the heart of our community – Ali, Aruna, Dawa, De’dzin, Dri’med, Fa Jun, Ganga, Janak, Khalden, Kundini, Kunzang, Lobsang, Malika, Mikyo, Namgyal, Namkai, Namtak, Ngawang, Norbu, Osel, Thokmey, Pualani, Rigpa, Rindzin, Satya, Serge, Tashi, Trogyal, Trusha, Tsal’gyur, Yene, Zat.

The greatest thanks goes to Aruna, one of our Directors of Ngakpa International and our CFO. For her, this was an effort made every day without reprieve for six months straight of high pressure, high stakes negotiations, decisions, legal research and consulting with all involved. I got used to speaking with her and making excruciating decisions on almost a daily basis, but she had many more hours, every day, of countless meetings, letters and legal processes with everyone else involved. I feel so proud that a woman of such extraordinary leadership, determination, and skill guided us through this process. Whatever she didn’t know how to do (like engineer solar panels!), she learned, doing whatever was needed to make it happen. Thank you, Aruna!

Did you miss your chance to donate? We still need your help. You can donate right now here! https://www.gofundme.com/dakini-mountain-fundraiser

Pema Khandro – California Teaching Tour

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Starting this week, join Pema Khandro and the Community of Buddhist Yogis
in San Diego, Richmond, and Nevada City, California

Great News!

Upcoming Events

Bardo Teachings – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhism & Sexuality – Self Paced Course

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!
Register Now

Buddhist Ethics – Self Paced Course

With Pema Khandro

Open Dates
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!
Register Now

Women in Tantric Buddhism – Self Paced Course

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…
Register Now

Ngondro Module 4: Funerary Chod

With Pema Khandro

September 22 - October 13, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Dzogchen Chod with Tulku Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute. TTake your Chod practice to the next level and cultivate fierce compassion and psychological transformation while studying the Tibetan tradition. Module 4 – Sept 22, 29, Oct 6 – Closing Session Oct 13 Discover the profound tradition of funerary Chöd, an extraordinary Buddhist practice that transforms our understanding of death, consciousness, and compassion. This ancient Tibetan ritual system, emerging from the wisdom tradition of Machig Labdrön, offers sophisticated techniques for working with death and dying that remain remarkably relevant for…
Register now

by

Dear Friends,

I have the most wonderful, joyous news. We have closed escrow on Dakini Mountain. We are opening our dreamed of retreat center!!! Congratulations to all! Thank you to everyone! My gratitude and joy is overflowing today. I am bowing, also laughing, celebrating and praying.

Dakini Mountain is a dream that I had in 2003 after we first moved our sangha’s headquarters to Northern California. But at the time, this dream seemed unrealistic, there was no obvious way to make it happen. So I left it on the backburner for over a decade. Until 2017, at our annual Dzogchen retreat. Riding a wave of inspiration, I took a step forward in faith… and the whole community stepped up with me. Now, thanks to all of you, these dreams are coming to pass. It is the wished for era of the rise of Dakini Mountain.

The journey to this moment has not been easy. We have worked so hard. We closed escrow after a six-month-long journey of negotiating with residents of the place that was our former headquarters (in Berkeley), finding new owners for that property, consulting constantly with lawyers, realtors, contractors, and solar power experts. There was constant and intensive negotiating and renegotiating our contract as things developed. Our community worked tirelessly to get to this point. But it has culminated in the huge leap forward to a new time – welcome to the era of the rise of Dakini Mountain.

This is only possible through the support of our friends who donated to our fundraiser: Richard, Laura, Tashi, Janak, Max, Mary Kay, Khalden, Kerryn, Sheila, Ngawang, Z, Diedra, Trusha, Wendy, Darius, Carol, Abraham, Dee, Malcolm, Satya, Yene, Steve, Elena, Conrad, Valerie, Harlem, Malika, Aruna, Zat, Ahlea, De’Dzin, Shivani, Christopher, Jesse, Ganga, Kabir, Penelope, Kaia, James, Andrew, R. David, Liz, Lou, Shirley, Serge, Ian, Kundini, Ali, Morgane, Cindy, Marianne, Tsal’gyur, Aimee, Malika, Daniel, Bernie, Dagme, Sarah, Richard, Jack, Laurie, Keith, Jeffrey, Kristine, Susan, Jerry, Owen, Rindzin, Anthony, Qin, Brenda & Virgil, Linda, Pualani, Gloria, Richard, Clare, Thokmey, Annie, Deshe, James, Rosanne, Paul, Evangeline, Tim, Mikyo, Karen, Lee, Lise, Preston, Fereshteh, Maria, Devin, Dylan, Denise, Kamali, Yeshe, Marie, Carlos, Dana, Marv, Namtak, John, Robert, Abra, Robin, Mark, Nette, Tazuko, Zoe, Willow, Kellie, Karen, Laura and Katya.

Also, it would not have been possible without our friends who offered their support, extended kindness, offered their time, services, loans, advice:

At Channing Mark, Khalden, Tsal’gyur, Darius, Monica Deka, Allison Pretto, Matthew Siegel, Dev. For Dakini Mountain Mark, Ross Collins, Neil Kirpalani, Lobsang, Corrina Hansen, Patricia Krowel, Lars and Birken. Our Dakini Mountain Committee Ngawang, Satya, Aruna, Zannette, Khalden. The Residents of the Berkeley Gompa who supported and helped the transition: Namtak, Sara, Nigel, Lorrie, Darius, and Tsal’gyur. Our 2018 Leadership Team who steadied our ship during the process: Aruna, Satya, Tsal’gyur, De’dzin, and Mikyo. Our new 2019 Leadership Team: Aruna, Satya, Tsal’gyur, Janak and Kundini. And the Vajra Sangha who are the heart of our community and my teaching activities: Ali, Aruna, Dawa, De’dzin, Dri’med, Fa Jun, Ganga, Janak, Khalden, Kundini, Kunzang, Lobsang, Malika, Mikyo, Namgyal, Namkai, Namtak, Ngawang, Norbu, Osel, Thokmey, Pualani, Rigpa, Rindzin, Satya, Serge, Tashi, Trogyal, Trusha, Tsal’gyur, Yene, Zat.

I feel honored to be a part of such a dynamic community full of leaders, collaborators, and bodhichitta in action. As I have often said we are a community of leaders, not followers, and this was our great strength through these last two years of effort to bring Dakini Mountain to life.

Did you miss your chance to donate? We still need your help. You can donate right now here!
https://www.gofundme.com/dakini-mountain-fundraiser

The greatest thanks goes to Aruna, one of our Directors of Ngakpa International and our CFO. For her, this was an effort made every day without reprieve for six months straight of high pressure, high stakes negotiations, decisions, legal research and consulting with all involved. I got used to speaking with her and making excruciating decisions on almost a daily basis, but she had many more hours, every day, of countless meetings, letters and legal processes with everyone else involved. I feel so proud that a woman of such extraordinary leadership, determination, and skill guided us through this process. Whatever she didn’t know how to do (like engineer solar panels!), she learned, doing whatever was needed to make it happen. Thank you Aruna!

Dakini Mountain is the most beautiful place I have ever been, equal only to the other most beautiful place I have ever been in Eastern Tibet. 

 

The Dakini is the Sanskrit word for the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism. It refers to enlightened wisdom manifesting in the forms least expected.

This is another reason why Dakini Mountain is so important. The last two years have seen a period of transformation for Buddhism as the #metoo movement has ushered in heightened awareness, reckoning, and change. It was a strange twist of fate to be reading one of these #metoo accounts the same day I heard about Dakini Mountain. My original vision had been that we would name this place after the Dakini, heralding a time of inclusion that we are now beginning to live in. I felt that Buddhism needed a center dedicated to gender equality. Buddhists should be world leaders in the movement promoting gender equality because we believe that underlying every person is a Buddha-nature and that genders are empty social constructs.

Some people shy away from associating themselves with feminist concerns but I believe this is because of misconceptions of the meaning of the term. A favorite definition of feminism is this one I read long ago in Women In Tibet,  “…feminism- by which we mean the broad movement that recognizes injustices to women due to androcentric or misogynist bias, is critical of those injustices, and would foster modes of action and experience that have been hitherto discouraged by such biases…”

My concern is also with ushering in an era beyond harmful sexist socialization which has harmed all people of all genders, whether it is toxic masculinity or binary frameworks that limit the full range of our humanity, we are in a new time. Dakini Mountain is a retreat center for this new time. The negotiation between philosophy, tradition, post-modernity, globalization and American culture is one that requires attention, effort, patience, and courage. Underlying all androcentrism and misogyny is ignorance – and as Buddhism so beautifully asserts – so the path of liberation from ignorance is education. We are all, so many of us, in a process of enormous learning, grappling with complexity and cross-cultural engagements, grappling with identity and language. May we have courage and resilience in the journey ahead.

There is a wonderful line in the VajraYogini meditation which says, “Like a flag suddenly hoisted into the sky…”  This is what Dakini Mountain will be, like a flag suddenly hoisted into the sky, Dakini Mountain arises as a declaration of the dignity, potential, and beauty of all beings.

Therefore the flag has been hoisted. We are now moving forward into a new era – the rise of Dakini Mountain.

We now already have thirty-five acres, a large barn that will be converted to the meditation hall and a gorgeous lodge with the most expansive views over a large luxurious wrap around deck. We will build dorms and cabins and a clinic for the Yogic Medicine Institute. We will build buildings and build spiritual energy at the same time. And we will be kind to each other while we do it, (like Buddhists always are supposed to be), but equally importantly while we build it, we will dream revolutionary thoughts together… the celebration of people of all genders as equal, as beautiful, as welcome… We will cultivate the wish for all beings to be free from suffering.

There is so much recreation to be had at Dakini Mountain so that even during these years of building, we will have much to enjoy! There is the ropes course, the zip line into the pond and the outdoor amphitheater and meadow. And of course, it joins the Tahoe National Forest so there will be plenty of time for a favorite delight of mine – hiking in nature! Those snowboarding retreats we used to have will now again return and by necessity! Dakini Mountain is at high altitude, we have opened this center on a site blanketed with snow, far as the eye can see. Sustainability has been and will continue to be a priority of our community. This is why Dakini Mountain is completely off the grid, solar power, propane, its own spring, and a giant well. It is a place to be immersed in nature while exploring the nature of mind!

As for the details of our grand achievement – Our fundraising total for Phase 1 of acquiring Dakini Mountain was $681,865!  This included $550k in our equity from our Berkeley property (thanks to the kind generosity of our co-investor!) as well as $132,700 from community donations to our GoFundMe campaign!  Therefore we have just raised over half a million dollars toward the Dakini Mountain Vision! Our goal for Phase 1 Go Fund Me Campaign was $150,000, so we still have $17,300 to go to reach our phase 1 goal. Please consider making a donation now at https://www.gofundme.com/dakini-mountain-fundraiser.

For the next phases to come, $1.1 million is still needed to pay off the mortgage and purchase the land, and roughly another million is needed for developments. Read the details here: https://www.gofundme.com/dakini-mountain-fundraiser. We will start another fundraising round for the remaining amount in the spring, along with an additional amount that we will need to refinance the property for a more favorable loan as soon as possible. We will spend the subsequent four years of fundraising to pay off the mortgage. In the meantime, three sangha members have agreed to stay there and pay the mortgage until we finish the fundraising to own the property outright. Our most immediate concern now is getting all the new solar batteries up running and top priority is fixing the snow plow so that the road into the property can be driveable. I plan to visit Dakini Mountain for a few days during the March Teaching Tour in California. I hope to see you in March, or if not, please do join us on the next Online Open Teaching or our monthly members class – Dzogchen Day.

We are currently planning to have our Grand Opening of Dakini Mountain June 7th-9th! Please do come and join us for a retreat weekend and Grand Opening Celebration. More information is forthcoming.

More wonderful news is that our summer retreats will be held at Dakini Mountain!! This includes our Annual Dzogchen retreat. And we are so excited to share the facility with our the many teachers and leaders who are members of the community as well as rent it out to the general public. May Dakini Mountain be nourishment for many.

Our first year will be more rustic style retreats until we complete our fundraising to finish the meditation hall and to build cabins and dorms, so our journey has really just begun. I will need your help to bring Dakini Mountain to full fruition. Still, as you will see, just as it is now, the land offers so much to enjoy. Just being there at high altitude is a spiritual experience and the breathtaking beauty and ideal Vastu make it even more so.

I extend my gratitude and congratulations to everyone connected to this project and for all our friends supporting with prayers and positive energy, thank you!

May we meet at Dakini Mountain!

With Great Joy,

 

 

 

Pema Khandro Rinpoche
Founder, Dakini Mountain

Learn more about Dakini Mountain here:  www.DakiniMountain.org

Support Dakini Mountain with donations here: https://www.gofundme.com/dakini-mountain-fundraiser

Help us get the word out about the upcoming March Tour!

Here is a list of dates, events, and locations:

 

San Diego, CA

March 10  –  Abiding in Unceasing Clarity, 11am-6pm Soulstice

 

Richmond, CA

March 12  –  Carrying Joy & Sorrow Onto the Path, 7-9pm MahaSiddha Center

 

Nevada City, CA

March 15  –  Natural Nirvana, 7-9pm Inner Path

March 16  –  Resting in Natural Freedom, 11am-6pm, Inner Path

March 17  –  Vajra Sangha Retreat, 11-6pm, Nevada City

 

Contact

Email: info@BuddhistYogis.org