About Us
Discover the Pema Ö community
Pema Ö is a community devoted to the study, practice, preservation and dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly according to the Nyingma tradition.
Our goal is to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to discover and deepen meditation practice, enrich their understanding of Buddhist philosophy, participate in various rituals, engage with an authentic lineage, and connect with qualified teachers.
In addition to our regular meetings (online practices and informal talks), we occasionally organize special activities featuring guests. We are also developing a variety of resources to better support practitioners—especially French-speaking ones—in Quebec and elsewhere.
Direct Sources of Inspiration
Our local coordinator has organized the Pema Ö project feeling a special gratitude for three teachers to whom he humbly pays tribute here. Their advice is priceless. They are like beacons in the night.
Tulku Thondup Rinpoche
Born in 1939 in the Golok region of Eastern Tibet, Tulku Thondup was recognized at the age of four as the reincarnation of Konme Khenpo, a famous scholar from Dodrupchen Monastery. He pursued advanced studies there and became the dorje lopön (vajra master supervising the rituals). In 1958, he went to India, where he taught at major universities; then, in 1980, he moved to the United States as a visiting scholar at Harvard.…
Lama Sonam Tsering Rinpoche
A practitioner with the most modest behavior, always ready to help... and with an exceptional erudition. He knows how to transmit the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhadharma to Westerners, including children.…
Sam Bercholz
Samuel is an experienced teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyü lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1969, he founded Shambhala Publications, the leading publishing company (not affiliated with the Shambhala Buddhist centers). A close disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (and empowered by both to teach), he has worked with many of the greatest masters of his time and has been instrumental in establishing authentic Buddhist traditions in the West.…
Some of the Guests We've Hosted So Far
Sam Bercholz
See above.
Khenpo Sonam
Khenpo-la is the director and resident teacher of Lhundrup Choling in Los Angeles. Originally from Bhutan, he studied in Nepal, Sikkim and his home country, earning the title of khenpo. He came to the United States in 1999 and spent nine years at Pema Osel Ling before settling in L.A.…
Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche
Orgyen Chowang is a meditation master based in the San Francisco area. Funny, fearless, and generous, he is known for his accessible, passionate, and uncomplicated style. He grew up in a remote village in Tibet before studying formally for ten years at the famed Larung Gar College under his teacher Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, who was recognized as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the 20th century.…
Greg Seton
Greg is a long-time Buddhist practitioner, translator of Sanskrit and Tibetan, professor at the prestigious Dartmouth College, and close student and collaborator of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. He is a talented educator who has a vast knowledge of history, philosophy and linguistics, to which he adds a considerable amount of experience in meditative retreats. He is involved with Mangala Shri Bhuti (of which he is one of the "khenchungs") and he also contributes to the 84,000 initiative, a colossal translation project.
Local Coordination
Vincent Thibault
Vincent is a writer from Quebec. He met the Dharma when he was a teenager, which changed his life, and his travels have led him to connect with many eminent teachers. While he practices primarily in the Nyingma tradition, he has also received teachings from different lineages, over the past twenty-five years or so.…