NGAKCHANG KARMA YESHE NAMGYAL DORJE RINPOCHE

Rinpoche was ordained in 1993 as a Ngakpa Lama by the Very Venerable Karma Thinley Rinpoche IV and was given the title Ngakchang, meaning "holder, wielder, and transmitter of mantric power". He is a Western Lama who, for more than half a century, has practiced and taught Lord Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings.  He is from the Ngakpa order of Upasakas - male and female householder yogins - and is considered a meditation master in the Maha Ati (Dzogchen) and Mahamudra (Chagchen) Vajrayana meditation traditions. Rinpoche received a Ph.D. in Education and Philosophy from Claremont Graduate University. He has written two books on Buddhist practice and poetry and has created two Buddhist musical DVDs. One of Rinpoche's goals is to integrate Buddhist and Western pedagogy. He is dedicated to fulfilling Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar's vision for justice and social equality for the Dalit Community and offers a free online Buddhist diksha refuge blessing ceremony through his non-profit, Akash Navayana Buddhist Association. Rinpoche is also dedicated to flourishing the Buddha Dharma through the arts and is directing and producing an animated short of The Legend of the Great Stupa and aspires to create a full length animated telling of the Life Story of Guru Rinpoche. He currently offers teachings in the forms of small practice booklets and commentaries but the sangha hopes to bring Rinpoche's teachings onto an online platform as well as build a retreat center for him to teach at called Trekchod Ling. 

After many decades in Los Angeles, Rinpoche moved to Kentucky in 2024.

Tashi delek!