We are descended from the authentic Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma Palyul lineage. Our group's main teacher, Lama Dawai Gocha, has practiced for more than 20 years under the guidance of many great masters.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Lozang Gyatso, 5th Dalai Lama (1617–1682), Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama (1876–1933), and Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama (present), all Gelugpas, are also noted Dzogchen masters. The fifth Dalai Lama had numerous Nyingma teachers and was also a terton who revealed a Dzogchen terma cycle through his pure visions known as the Sangwa Gyachen (Bearing the Seal of Secrecy). The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has given empowerments from this cycle. Lama Dawai Gocha has received Dzogchen empowerment and transmission from the current Dalai Lama and has held him as a teacher for many years.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche (Tib. པད་ནོར་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་, Wyl. pad nor rin po che) or Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche (1932-2009) was one of the most well-known Nyingma and Dzogchen masters of the twentieth century. Rinpoche was the third head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and the eleventh throne-holder of the Palyul lineage. Considered an incarnation of Vimalamitra, Rinpoche received his full spiritual training in Tibet before escaping to India in 1959. He subsequently established Namdroling Monastery in Southern India and also taught extensively throughout the world.

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche is a senior Khenpo (professor of Buddhist Philosophy) from the Shedra (Lama's College) at Paylul Namdroling Monastery near Mysore in the south of India. He is a representative of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, throne-holder of Palyul Monastery and its many branches around the world. H.H. Penor Rinpoche has entrusted him with the establishment of Dharma Centers on behalf of His Holiness and the Palyul lineage in this country. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso has received all of the major lineage empowerments and transmissions of the Nyingmapa school, including the Dudjom Tersar from Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche; the Longchen Nyingthig Yabshi, and Nyingma Kama from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche; and the Rinchen Terdzod and Nam Chos from Pema Norbu Rinpoche. He has done intensive dzogchen practice under the guidance of Penor Rinpoche and other eminent masters including Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Pema Norbu Rinpoche has authorized him to represent the monastery and to teach, to confer empowerments and to give personal instruction in Buddhist practice.

Other Teachers

Other teachers include Dodrupchen Rinpoche IV who gave important transmissions, Thrangu Rinpoche who was a visiting teacher in Crestone, CO where Lama Dawai Gocha practiced and studied; Khentrul Gyang Khang Rinpoche who gave Lama Dawai many teachings, empowerments and transmissions during retreats; Tulku Dawa Gyalpo who was Lama Dawai's Tsa Lung anuyoga techer, Khenpo Tenzin Norgey (Dzogchen trekcho/togyal, shedra teacher who gave initial blessings to teach with Khenchen Tsewang); Lama Pasang (ngondo teacher), Mingyur Rinpoche who conferred important Guru Rinpoche Dzogchen empowerment/transmission. Garchen Rinpoche, Yogi Acharya Lama Gursam (retreat teacher); Lama Karma Dorje who gave important blessings/authorization to teach Ati/Mahamudra.