The Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC) was established in 1989 by two brothers, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. It serves as a Buddhist meditation and study center in the Tibetan Nyingma Tradition. The center works to preserve and spread the lineage teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava.
This report will focus on the PBC New York Center, known as Padma Samye Ling (PSL), which is the principal Padmasambahava Buddhist Center and is referred to by the venerable Khenpo Rinpoches as the “mother center.” It was established in 1993 and is located in Delaware County in upstate New York.
Founders
Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche (1938-2010) and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche (born 1950) are the founding teachers of PBC. They were born and raised in the Dhosul region of Kham in eastern Tibet near Jowo Zegyal (sacred pilgrimage mountain). They come from a family that has been practicing Vajrayana Buddhism for generations, and their ancestors include many great scholars and practitioners. Their father, Lama Chimed Namgyal, was their first teacher. In 1959, after the Chinese invasion of Tibet, he took his family to India, where they stayed until they started traveling around the world, finally settling in the United States in the 1980s.
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. Furthermore, they collectively authored over 30 learned works: Tibetan language books, poetry, grammar texts, Buddhist philosophy and practice, logic and tantra, and historical perspectives.
In Tibet, Padmasambhava is known as “Guru Rinpoche,” which means “precious guru.” Both founding brothers are also referred to as Rinpoches—Khenpo Rinpoches.
Tibetan Nyingma Tradition and Guru Padmasambhava
Guru Padmasambhava, after whom the PBC was named, is a pivotal figure in establishing Buddhism in Tibet in both a historical and spiritual context.
The Nyingma Tradition originated in India and was brought to Tibet when King Trisong Deutsan (742-797) invited Padmasambhava to help Great Abbot Shantirakshita establish Buddhism in Tibet and overcome local demons that were hindering the construction of the Samye Monastery. After successfully completing the building of the Samye monastery, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Abbot Shantirakshita taught sutra and tantra in Tibet. Guru Rinpoche hid hundreds of his teachings and instructions as treasures as he believed that future generations would benefit from them to a greater extent than the people of his time. The Terma lineage emerged with the revelations of these teachings by over a hundred tantric masters.
The Nyingma tradition classifies Buddha’s teachings into Nine Yanas: the Three Common Vehicles, the Three Outer Tantras, and the Three Inner Tantras. The first three are common to all schools of Buddhism, the next three are common to all schools of Tantric Buddhism, and the last three are exclusive to the Nyingma tradition.
Transmission lineages can be summarized into two primary lineages: The Oral Transmission Lineage (unbroken oral lineage) and The Treasure Transmission Lineage (hidden by Padmasambhava and later revealed by tantric masters). In Nyingma terminology, they can be referred to as the Kama and Terma lineages.
Relationships with other communities
As mentioned in the introduction, Padma Samye Ling (PSL) is the principal PBC location. From there, the venerable Rinpoches have supported and continue to support the other centers, including their member’s education, practice, and meditation. In addition to Padma Samye Ling, the PBC has chapters in over 20 cities, 12 of which can be found on their website’s PBC directory. These centers can be found in New York, Florida, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, India, and Russia. In a 2009 interview, the Khenpo Rinpoches described their connection to the other centers in regard to the PSL vision as follows, “Each one of these centers has definitely been a big support and inspiration in helping upkeep the vision of the mandala we have established up here. Again, this is not just the vision of a few people or the two of us—generally, it is the vision of all the members of Padmasambhava Buddhist Center and all the people who are connected with it, including friends of PBC.”
Furthermore, PBC is particularly interested in supporting and helping teachings and lineages of the Nyingma school that are slightly weak or endangered. They are devoted to keeping Tibetan Buddhism alive, even during the political and sovereignty hardships that Tibet has been facing since the 1950s.
Community constituency
PSL has three residential Lamas involved in the planning and daily operations of the New York Center. The residential Lamas engage with guests, visitors, volunteers, and others to help guide them through the teachings and traditions that align with Nyingma Buddhism. The three residential Lamas are:
- Lama Jomo Lorraine – Tibetan Buddhist Nun
- Lama Laia Pema Tsultrim – ordained as a monk in 2002
- Lama Pema Dragpa – resident Dharma teacher at PSL
Events
PBC is present on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) as well as on YouTube. The PBC YouTube channel has hundreds of videos ranging from Basic Buddhism to Vajrayana Meditation rituals and chanting to inspiring stories of great masters and many more. This channel makes the masters’ teachings accessible to anyone who is interested in learning about Buddhism and meditation, but also those who actively practice it and cannot be physically present at any of the PBC locations.
Furthermore, they organize multiple events each year. For example, in 2025, Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche will lead a One-Month Group Retreat on extensive Dzogchen teachings and practices according to the teachings of Chetsun. Furthermore, the PBC organizes youth meditation retreats, Dzogchen immersion programs, or one-day programs in its different locations. PSL is open for visits to anyone who is interested if they contact the center ahead of time.
Funding
Sufficient funding is key to keeping the PBC running smoothly and expanding. The two main ways the PBC is funded are membership fees and donations.
Members can decide how they would like to designate their membership as the following:
- Sustaining – $1200 / $100 per month
- Couples – $600 / $50 per month
- Basic – $420 / $35 per month
- Student – $180 / $15 per month
Furthermore, individuals may make a one-time donation of any amount. One can also include the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center in one’s estate planning through either wills and trust or beneficiary options.
Other forms of support include volunteering, which helps maintain and run the Padma Samye Ling retreat center. Activities include temple caretaking, nutritious vegetarian cooking, administration and retail, building maintenance, vegetable and flower gardening, creative construction projects, and more.
Lastly, the construction of Padma Samye Ling was primarily sponsored by many sangha members, particularly Bill Hinman.
Sponsor a Monk
The PBC sangha and its affiliates have created a donation fund through which individuals can sponsor individual monks. With its success, Orgyen Samye Chokhor Ling, located in Sarnath, India, could be established and continues to be sustained. Currently, there are about 30 young monks in residence, ranging in age from 6 to 21.
Practices
One of the main practices of the residential Lamas is daily prayer. Laypeople can request certain prayers, such as removing diseases and obstacles, purifying karma, and ushering through the Bardo, Well-being, and fulfillment in life. These prayers are charged at a fee to sustain the center. Such practices are common in many other monastic communities, and it is a way for monastics to connect with lay people and make money for the community. Furthermore, meditation and chanting are also a common daily practice. There are meditation groups offered through the PBC at all of its centers. The Lamas offer teachings both at PSL and via live stream. Some of these teachings are presented in the form of discussion. At PBC, you can find authentic lineage teachings of shedra and drubdra, as well as the academic aspects of Buddhism.
Projects
PBC is dedicated to spreading the teachings of the Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava. This is achieved through multiple projects that are run in the United States, India, and more. An example of one of their projects is the continued restoration and improvement of Gochen Monastery in Tibet, where venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche underwent intensive training starting at the age of six. This monastery was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and is now being improved by providing new bathrooms and running water inside. Another project includes the Padma Samye Chokhor Ling Monastery Project. This monastery is located in the holy city of Sarnath, Varanasi, India, and is hoped to become a pilgrimage site for study and meditation for people all around the world. All projects are conducted in the hope of spreading and protecting the Tibetan Nyingma tradition of Buddhism.
Insight into the teachings of the Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
“Wisdom is not something we can obtain from outside ourselves; it has been with us from beginningless time. This enlightened nature pervades every sentient being equally. It is not the case that only the Buddha has this nature; it exists in every mind. Although ignorance and obscurations cover our wisdom, the primordial nature is always radiating. For example, we know in a general way what is good for us and what is bad for us. This is the power of the primordial wisdom, radiating through the heaviness of ignorance.
However, for wisdom to manifest we have to work to bring it out. The discovery of wisdom requires relating with your mind by having discipline and concentration. In the beginning of Dharma practice, it is important to know that the mind is the most important thing to work with, and the best ways to work with it are through discipline, concentration, and wisdom. By practicing these three techniques, enlightenment is right here with us.”
-Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Sources
“Government of Sikkim, India.” Accessed November 29, 2024. https://sikkim.gov.in/departments/ecclesiastical-affairs-department/history-of-guru-padmasambhava.
Padmasambhava.org. “Padmasambhava Buddhist Center – Meditation Study Dzogchen – Tibetan Nyingma.” Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.padmasambhava.org.
“The Nyingma School | Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa.” Accessed December 1, 2024. https://kagyuoffice.org/buddhism/buddhism-in-tibet/the-nyingma-school/.