Our Teachers
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche (1938-2010) and Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche were born and raised in the Dhoshul region of Kham in eastern Tibet near the sacred mountain Jowo Zegyal. Their family was steeped in Vajrayana Buddhism for generations, and among their ancestors were many great scholars and practitioners. Their father’s family inherited the responsibility of administering the local monastery, Gochen Monastery, and their grandfather was chant master in charge of ritual ceremonies. The brothers have said that as children, should they awaken at anytime during the night, they could always hear their devoted father reciting his prayers or chanting his mantras.
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche at ceremony at PSL
The two scholarly brothers (known affectionately as the Khenpo Rinpoches) made their first trip to America in 1980, and in 1982 moved to New York to work closely with His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. In 1985, the Khenpos founded Dharma Samudra, a non-profit publishing organization which began by publishing a Tibetan edition of 11 volumes of the hidden treasure teachings revealed by the great terton Tsasum Lingpa in the 17th century. Collectively they are authors of over 30 learned works: Tibetan language books, poetry, grammar texts, Buddhist philosophy and practice, logic and tantra, and historical perspectives. Many of their books dealing with Tibetan Buddhism are available in English.
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche at PSL
In 1989, the Khenpos founded Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC), a non-profit organization to teach the authentic word and practices of Tibetan Nyingma Buddhism and established the first center in New York. PBC now has chapters in over 20 cities in the USA, Russia, Canada, and Puerto Rico, plus monasteries in India. Together, the Khenpo Rinpoches served as the directors and spiritual leaders at the various PBC centers and monasteries through 2010, when Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab entered mahaparinirvana.
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche at Vulture Peak Mountain
Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche continues to maintain an active travel and teaching schedule that includes annual visits to the many PBC centers. His dynamic teachings and skillful insights make the simplest to the most complex teachings of Buddhism applicable to every aspect of our busy Western lives. His vibrant personality and humorous delights students, while his example of devotion to Tibetan Buddhist practice inspires and attracts a multitude of practitioners. ​
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche with their father, Lama Chimed Namgyal.
Having taught worldwide, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche (1938 - 2010) and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche are among the most highly qualified teachers and esteemed scholars of Tibetan Buddhism. The Rinpoches are fully versed in the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Schools, and are considered masters of Dzogchen, the most advanced tradition of meditation practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The Khenpo Rinpoches hold the transmissions of the Nyingma Kama, and Terma Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. So highly respected are the brothers that they received many honors, appointments, and recognition from His Holiness Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche and other significant Tibetan leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Venerables Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche with Lama Lorraine