Resiliency-in-Action

Going Beyond the Boulders

As Tantric practitioners, we expect obstacles, difficulties and resistance.

We train so we are still altruistic and resilient, even after innumerable challenges. Padmasambhava predicted troubled times in the future.

He offered the dharma  to ‘go beyond the boulders’.

~Tulku Pema Khandro

Resiliency-In-Action

The story of Ngakpa International, our beloved teacher Pema Khandro-La and our sangha is a story of resilience, generosity and commitment in the face of great uncertainty.  In this current time of upheaval, we rely on the stability of our precious teacher, the dharma and the community of our devoted sangha. We rely on the vision of our logo, the Gyakil (Wheel of Joy) to cultivate complete openness, lucid presence and compassion.

Gyakil, Wheel of Joy

Our online school, the Buddhist Studies Institute offers us many programs to grow our suppleness, compassion and stable force.  Since our inception, we’ve all faced numerous challenges and even profound losses, both in our individual lives and as a sangha. Through your devotion, dedication and generosity, we’ve miraculously come together to help one another, and even weathered the emotional and economic uncertainties of the pandemic.

We practice the dharma to dance with this level of uncertainty and call in the benevolent forces, Dakinis and Dakas who clearly support us to fulfill our aspirations for success. Against all odds, we’re still here.

So what is success? Success is continuing to offer these teachings so people may practice and receive the treasures of the dharma. Success is growing the stability to bring the dharma to more and more people.

As we approach the turning of the New Year,  please join us in continuing to manifest this vision through your generous practices, donations and offerings.

Our Successes

Thanks to your generosity, we are thriving both on-line and in-person, receiving the precious Longchen Nyingthig teachings from Khandro-La. Our international community has grown since the pandemic, our membership has increased, teachings are available online to people across multiple time zones. Recordings of the programs now allow even more participants to experience the profound dharma and practices at their convenience. All this is clearly responding to a need for in-depth practices offered by Khandro-La who walks with unshakable integrity within our loving sangha.

2023 Technology Fundraiser

We are thrilled to share the impact of your generous support from last year’s fundraiser!

Thanks to your contributions, we raised $17,000 towards our technology goals in 2023. Here’s how your support made a difference:

• $10,000 funded critical technology upgrades, including:expanded zoom, enhanced editing tools and transcription software.

• $4,000 allocated to maintaining our current systems, ensuring smooth operation, and ongoing support for our programs and online platform.

• $650 dedicated to essential security upgrades for our online presence.

• $2,350 remaining to carry forward into 2025.

We sincerely appreciate all your support in helping us build a resilient, accessible platform for wisdom and connection.

2024 Educational Programs

2024 was a watershed year for us. We served over 60 members and offered over 131 programs online and in-person retreats, bi-monthly classes, Ngondro, Meditation Instructor and other leadership training. Khandro-La and the  illustrious visiting teachers offered dharma and empowerments for a full range of Buddhist studies from introductory meditation instruction, Mahayana, Vajrayana and some of the most pith, advanced Dzogchen teachings. The year culminated this fall with a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Bhutan, following in the footsteps of Longchenpa. When Khandro-La and the sangha returned from abroad, she offered the precious Six Yoga Intensive.

Financial Aid/ Scholarships

Our organization is founded on practices of generosity. One way we fulfill this is by offering financial assistance, work study and scholarships to people in need. In 2023, we offered over $13,800 of financial aid and support to our members.

2025 Future Dharma Programs

We have a rich calendar of events for the upcoming year. As well as continuing our ongoing Vajrayana and Ngakpa Trainings, we are launching our Chaplaincy Program and an Advanced Meditation Instructor Training. We are also blessed to have Khandro-La offer shedra-level teachings with esteemed Dzogchen scholar Khenpo Yeshe; teachings with Sarah Jakoby and Holly Gayley;  a Chakrasamvara Retreat with Drupon Dorje Rinpoche; and a Korde Rushen Retreat.

Our 2024 Year-End Fundraising Goal

Help us land stability in uncertainty.

Join with us in all your creative visioning, practices and funds to support Ngakpa International and our educational arm, Buddhist Studies Institute.

Let’s land our dharma teachings by meeting the challenges of uncertainty with unflagging  ground. Let’s rise up to this challenge so we can encounter our true nature.On this path of the Awakened Mind Warriors we cultivate a stable, calm, caring and compassionate way of being.

We can not do this alone.

Thank you for your generous hearts of service.

Thank you for your vision and love.

Giving Tuesday is Tommorrow!

To all the supporters of the Buddhist Studies Institute – thank you!

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow, and we are grateful for donations to support the End of Year 2024 Buddhist Studies Institute Fundraising drive. We are a grassroots organization and all of our funding is based on individual donations.

We hope you will remember us in your end of year giving and of course, if you can’t, then we also enjoy the continual support of volunteers, good will and prayers, the positive energy that has keeps us going! So please give however you can.

We have an exciting new year of programs and look forward to connecting with each other each other again and again. To make a donation, you can click the donate button below or mail your check to the address listed below. No amount is too small or too large! Every gift counts and makes a difference.

To gift by check, please make payable to Ngakpa International, and mail to:

Ngakpa International

P.O. Box 2396
Nevada City, California 95946
USA

Ngakpa International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Join us for Pema Khandro’s Birthday

Pema Khandro’s Birthday Celebration & Fundraiser

Praise to the 21 Taras

Wednesday, December 4
6pm PT | 9pm ET | 1pm AEDT*

The twenty-one taras is a sublime chanting meditation and praise of the forms of the female Bodhisattva Tara, each one a contemplation of all the forms of compassion ranging from gentle to fierce.  This event explores the outer, inner and secret meaning of the twenty-one taras.

This will be a joyous celebration in honor of our beloved Pema Khandro’s birthday.

*12/5 in Australia (AEDT)

21-Day Meditation Marathon

January 1-21 Online
8am PT | 11am ET | 4pm GMT

The New Year Meditation Marathon is led by a diverse faculty of Buddhist Studies Institute certified meditation instructors who facilitate Tibetan Zhine (Calm Abiding) meditation followed by a reading and contemplation of one of the Five Buddhist Precepts.

Surrounded by Buddhist Women

In October Khandro-la, sangha members, friends, and Dharma teacher Jampa Stewart traveled to the sacred land of Bhutan for a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Longchempa. A few years ago, Pema Khandro also travelled to another sacred land, Indonesia, for the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women’s Conference where she presented on Women’s Leadership in Tibetan Buddhism’s History.

Volunteer Opportunities
with the Buddhist Studies Institute

Are you grateful for BSI and looking for ways to contribute? Support the Buddhist Studies Institute, an online school dedicated to preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhist education, and become a volunteer!

We’re seeking people to help with:

• Fundraising

• Marketing

• Website support

Your skills can help expand our reach, deepen our impact, and support our mission of offering accessible teachings, fostering compassionate communities, and preserving ancient wisdom for future generations.

Be part of this joyful journey and use your talents to bring the light of Tibetan Buddhism and Pema Khandro’s teachings to a global audience. Together, we can make a difference!

Interested? Email info@buddhiststudiesinstitute.org

Winter Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

DECEMBER

21 Taras – Pema Khandro Birthday Fundraiser – December 4

JANUARY
21 Day Meditation Marathon – January 1-21

Ngondro Module 1: Field of Buddhas – January 27-April 8

FEBRUARY
Meditation Teacher Training – February 10-August 4
Love as a Path to Liberation – February 21-23

*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone