Our teachers
THE KARMA KAGYU LINEAGE
LAMA OLE NYDAHL
Lama Ole Nydahl and his late wife Hannah were the first Western students of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. For over 45 years, Lama Ole has taught Diamond Way Buddhism to tens of thousands of students and founded over 650 Buddhist centers worldwide. Lama Ole specializes in the practices of Mahamudra (the “Great Seal”) and Phowa—a rare, centuries-old method of conscious dying. He teaches his students to combine lay Buddhist practice with independent thinking and the maturity that comes through life experience. Please visit his website for more about Lama Ole’s life and work as well as links to books and videos of his teachings.
Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche
Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche was born in 1962 in India and recognized by H.H. the 16th Karmapa as the sixth reincarnation in the Nedo Kulha lineage. Until the age of 18, Rinpoche was educated under the guidance of H.H. the 16th Karmapa in Rumtek monastery. He then studied for three years in Ladakh before returning to Rumtek for a three-year retreat, where he practiced the tantras of Marpa, the Six Yogas of Naropa, and various Mahamudra transmissions. When he was 25, Rinpoche was appointed Vajramaster of Rumtek monastery, and he remains today the main Vajramaster of H.H. the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje. Nedo Rinpoche is currently responsible for Shamar Rinpoche’s monks as well as all activities of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim.
TRAVELING TEACHERS
At Lama Ole’s request, many of his long-time students give teachings on basic dharma topics and explanations of Diamond Way meditations.