Elio’s Teachers

Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, one of the foremost living Dzogchen masters, was born in Derge, eastern Tibet, in 1938. At the age of two he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dzogchen master Adzom Drugpa by Palyul Karma Yangsid and Shechen Rabjam. When he was three years old, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa recognized him as the mind reincarnation of Ngawang Namgyal.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

“The Dalai Lama is, I believe, nothing less than the face of the Buddha of Compassion turned toward an endangered humanity, the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara not only for Tibet and not only for Buddhists, but for the whole world—in need, as never before, of healing compassion and of his example to total dedication to peace.”

Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche

Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche was one of the most accomplished Tibetan Buddhist yogis of our time. In 1947, he had the lofty status of being the head spiritual master of Regent Reting the political leader of Tibet, but he has always preferred to live as a humble yogi in a simple dwelling without the distractions of fame and fortune.

Trulshik Rinpoche

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche Ngawang Chökyi Lodrö was one of the seniormost lamas of Tibetan Buddhism. Considered the heart son of both Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, he became a teacher to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and in 2010 the head of the Nyingma school.

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje was such a consummate master of Dzogpachenpo, and such an authority on the teachings of Longchenpa, that his disciples regarded him as Longchenpa in the flesh. He was the teacher of many of the younger generation of lamas, as well as a number of western Buddhist teachers.

Kalu Rinpoche

Kalu Rinpoche was a Buddhist lama, meditation master, scholar and teacher. He was one of the first Tibetan masters to teach in the West.

Dodrupchen Rinpoche

Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, the Fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Tubten Trinlé Pal Zangpo is one of the most important living masters in the Nyingma and Dzogchen traditions. As the fourth incarnation of Dodrupchen Jikmé Trinlé Özer, the heart-son of Jikmé Lingpa who revealed the Longchen Nyingtik cycle, Dodrupchen Rinpoche is the principal holder of the Longchen Nyingtik teachings.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche born in the Dergé region of Kham, Eastern Tibet, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was recognized as the mind emanation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892), and was one of the closest disciples of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s activity emanation, Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893-1959). Regarded by many as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the twentieth century, and the very embodiment of Padmasambhava, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was the teacher of many of the important lamas of today.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin

Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, previously known as His Holiness Sakya Trizin, was the previous throne holder of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, the 41st patriarch of the Khön lineage which dates back to 1073. He is renowned as an emanation of both Manjushri and mahasiddha Virupa, the founder of the Lamdré teachings, and also as an incarnation of Apang Tertön. He is a brilliant master who manifests profound wisdom and compassion, and his excellent command of English render his teachings particularly beneficial to western students.

Ling Rinpoche

Yongdzin Ling Rinpoche Thupten Lungtok Namgyal Trinlé (1903-1983) – the 97th Ganden Tripa and senior tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His reincarnation Tenzin Lungtok Thinley Choephak was born in Bir, India in 1985.

Geshe Yeshe Tobden

Lama Wangdor a student of Rigdzin Changchub Dorje

Jamgon Kongtrul, a heart-son of the 16th Karmapa

Gomo Tulku

John Coleman a student of U Ba Khin