Visiting Teachers

Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche

Known by Buddhist masters and scholars as an emanation of the great yogi Milarepa, Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche is regarded as one of the highest lamas of the Kagyu lineage today. He was born into a Sherpa family in Nepal, with many auspicious signs accompanying his birth. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa recognized Rinpoche when he was a toddler, predicting this 4th Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche would be of great benefit to all sentient beings.

Gyalwa Rinpoche studied at Rumtek Monastery and the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies in Sikkim and received his traditional acharya degree with first class honors. During this time he also received many transmissions and teachings from such great spiritual masters as the 16th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Lama Guenden Rinpoche. In 2004, he became the first incarnate lama to receive a PhD, graduating from Harvard University with a degree in Indo-Tibetan studies.

Widely recognized for his ability to modernize ancient Buddhist teachings for today’s challenges, Gyalwa Rinpoche is dedicated to the value of education in bringing wisdom to life. To promote this, he has founded organizations throughout Asia and the United States, including the United Trungram Buddhist Fellowship, Buddhist Relief Services, the Trungram Gyalwa Foundation, and Dharmakaya Organization. He also has a number of retreat centers around the world, such as the Lumbini Udyana Mahachaitya—part of the Lumbini United Nations Development Project at Buddha’s birthplace, and the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, in the New York Catskills.

Rinpoche’s wish is to share the Buddhadharma – the truth, the path of non-violence and the path of peace with others.

Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche