Phakchok Rinpoche
Phakchok Rinpoche was born in 1981 and is a lineage holder of the Profound Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa from the Nyingma School of Early Translations and one of the throne-holders of the Riwoche Taklung Kagyu Lineage. Phakchok Rinpoche’s primary root gurus are his grandfather, the late Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and late Kyabje Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.
Phakchok Rinpoche has received a traditional education from the Dzongsar Shedra in India, the complete Chokling New Treasures lineage from Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Kyabje Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, and the Great Perfection lineage from Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Rinpoche’s teaching style is direct, addressing the needs of those present; traditional, not compromising the methods of practice and transmission in the slightest; and, accessible, teaching the profound meaning in a way that is able to be understood and glimpsed by people of diverse backgrounds.
As a yogi practitioner with a family and the responsibility of monastic institutions, Rinpoche is deeply familiar with both ways of life and practice. Rinpoche’s life defines what it means to be a dharma practitioner in today’s world by emphasising that a practitioner should find a balance in their life. There should be a base of study and contemplation in order to understand the profound views of the Buddhas teachings, and practice should be emphasized in a way that genuinely reduces ego clinging and negative emotions through a range of methods and practices. Altruistic activity should address the needs of those in one’s community and beyond as an expression of the compassion and wisdom cultivated in practice. These are some of the main principles that Rinpoche practices and teaches to his own students.
Events with Phakchok Rinpoche
June 16 - July 26, 2025
This immersive six-week program offers a unique opportunity to delve into the timeless wisdom of the Buddhist tradition. Combining intellectual exploration with personal transformation, it integrates teachings on the inner fields of knowledge—Buddhist philosophy and meditative practices—with the outer fields of knowledge, such as logic, medicine, language, artisanry, astrology, and geomancy. These teachings are delivered by accomplished Tibetan masters and academically-trained scholar-practitioners, fostering a holistic learning experience. Apply here for a summer to remember. CLICK HERE to visit the Samye Institute Summer Immersion website for more details. What You’ll Learn Rooted in centuries-old training methods from India…
July 5 - 6, 2025
We are delighted to offering the first-of-its-kind weekend retreat based on Awakening Dignity: A Guide to Living a Life of Deep Fulfillment, led by co-authors Phakchok Rinpoche and Sophie (Shu-chin) Wu. This will be the first of Phakchok Rinpoche’s series of masterclasses at Samye NY this summer, suitable for absolute beginners but also highly recommended for all students. This Path of Dignity provides an essential foundation for those who wish to study the Path of Transformation as well as the Path of Realization. The notion of dignity is central to living a meaningful and fulfilling life, especially in today’s world,…
July 7 - 11, 2025
We are delighted that Phakchok Rinpoche will return this summer to Samye Hermitage New York, his North American seat, to lead a masterclass in the practice of Mahamadura meditation, the profound path to realizing the very nature of our minds. During this week-long retreat, Phakchok Rinpoche will guide participants through the ground, path and the fruition of Mahamudra meditation, using both personal and practical guidance for participants. As a foundation for this transformative journey, Rinpoche will present fresh insights from the Noble Wisdom at the Time of Death Sutra. This revered Mahayana teaching of Buddha Shakyamuni explores the essence of…
July 12 - 13, 2025
We are honored that Phakchok Rinpoche will conclude his series of masterclass teachings this summer with an introduction to the Path of Realization. This path, as taught by the great Mahaguru Padmasambhava, leads students through the traditional Vajrayana journey of practice. Entering this path begins with taking refuge and receiving empowerment. On this transformative path, practitioners focus on the Buddha’s teaching to “tame your own mind” while training in the two aspects of bodhicitta: relative and ultimate. Through accumulating preliminary practices (ngöndro) and engaging in sadhana practices, students cultivate devotion and pure perception—the supreme Vajrayana methods for unveiling our…