Welcome to Sukhasiddhi

A SHANGPA KAGYU BUDDHIST COMMUNITY

Go directly and deeply into the heart of the rich and ancient practices of Tibetan Buddhism in an atmosphere that supports, enlivens and radically changes our daily lives. Most of the practices and teachings of the Shangpa lineage come from two fully and completely awakened women, Sukhasiddhi and Niguma.

Save The Date

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Save The Date //

Sukhasiddhi Annual Retreat
Monday, June 17 - Sunday, June 23

Topics:
Extraordinary Shamatha & Vipashyana taught by Lama Dondrup
Mahamudra taught by Lama Palden

Lama Döndrup Drolma, Sukhasiddhi’s Resident Lama, will join 18 other esteemed scholars, thought leaders, and Buddhist teachers during The Women of Wisdom Summit presented by Lion’s Roar.

This global gathering will celebrate and honor the significant contributions, deep wisdom, and extraordinary resilience of women past and present. Learn More



UPCOMING EVENTS

Women-led Vajrayana Buddhism 

OFFERINGS

  • Blogs

    Articles and Interviews from Lamas, students, members, and more discussing a wide range of Buddhist perspectives

  • Recordings

    Past classes and retreats edited for returning listeners covering beginning to advanced topics; Available for free or low-cost

  • Weekly Meditations

    Free - Donation Based
    Monday Night Meditation
    Tuesday / Thursday Morning Lujong (Tibetan Yoga)

  • Events

    Regularly scheduled series of courses and classes on relevant topics, special events, and an annual week-long retreat

  • Programs of Study

    Develop and deepen your meditation practices while moving through a curriculum of general Buddhist teachings and the teachings of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage

2024 Pilgrimage to Bhutan // Oct 25 - Nov 7

An exceptional opportunity to see the inside treasures and sacred sites of Bhutan led by a modern Vajrayana master with a deep and intimate connection to Bhutan.

Going on pilgrimage is a profound practice, one which may bring about deep transformation and openings spiritually. We also get a feel for how Buddhism, and in particular Vajrayana, permeates and is practiced in its native culture in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

The 2024 Pilgrimage to Bhutan is currently at capacity. Please consider applying to join the waitlist.

IN THE MEDIA

JOIN US FOR WEEKLY MEDITATIONS

Live via Zoom | All are welcome

Monday Evening Online Meditation
Opening the Gate with Barb Juniper

Mondays via Zoom at 7PM PDT

Find your time zone here

Please join us for a weekly online group meditation.
Experience the support of shared silence and discover the inner sanctuary that lies within each individual heart as well as our collective heart.

Lujong (Tibetan Yoga) & Meditation

Tuesdays & Thursdays via Zoom at 9:30AM PDT

Find your time zone here

Please join us Tuesday and Thursday mornings online for an invigorating session of Tibetan Yoga. Uncoil the knots in your energy system and open the energy flow.
Designed to deepen meditation.

Meditate, Transform & Grow

Sukhasiddhi - pronounced SooK-a-CiDY

Sukhasiddhi is a place where the profound and transformative teachings of Tibetan Buddhism are studied and practiced. We meditate, transform, and grow in a community of mutual respect, loving kindness, and joy. Sukhasiddhi welcomes people of all religions, ages, racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.

Welcome message from our Resident Lama, Lama Döndrup

THE SHANGPA LINEAGE 

The lineages of Tibetan Buddhism offer an unbroken stream of blessings from the Buddha down to us, which enables us to practice deeply while in the midst of our everyday experience. Most of the practices and teachings of the Shangpa lineage come from two fully and completely awakened women, Sukhasiddhi and Niguma. The Shangpa lineage was founded by Khyungpo Naljor in the 12th century. The current lineage holder is Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche.

  • Door in Lhasa

    Vajrayana Buddhism

    Learn about the beliefs, meditations, and practices of Vajrayana. Like many religions, Buddhism inspired various paths of practice, philosophy, and ceremony. While there are many different lineages of Buddhism, the two main branches are Theravada and Mahayana. Vajrayana is part of the Mahayana.

  • Painting of Sukhasiddhi, a principal female teacher of Kedrup Khyungpo Naljor, founder of the Shangpa Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism

    Sukhasiddhi's Story

    Both Sukhasiddhi and Niguma were born in Kashmir, although there is no record of any meeting between them. They are cited together only as teachers of the same disciple, Kyungpo Naljor, yet according to the Nyingma tradition, they are related from past lives.

    Sukhasiddhi arrived at tantric Buddhism late in life. She lived as an impoverished housewife and mother of six children until the age of fifty-nine.

  • Kalu Rinpoche lineage head of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition

    Kalu Rinpoche

    Kalu Rinpoche is lineage head of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition. He received full transmission of the Shangpa Kagyu Lineage from Venerable Bokar Rinpoche and completed his three-year retreat in 2008.

    Rinpoche continues the unbroken transmission of the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu Lineages, ensuring that these precious teachings remain available to those who seek to walk the blessed Path of Liberation.

  • Niguma wisdom dakini

    Niguma's Story

    This wisdom dakini was born the daughter of the great Brahmin Shantivarma [Zhiwé Gocha] and the Brahmini Shrimati [Palgyi Lodrö]. Her name was Shrijnana [Palgyi Yéshé]. She was pandit Naropa’s sister and a member of the Brahmin caste.

    During three previous incalculable eons of time, she actualized her training on the spiritual path.

Statue of the Buddha

Our Mission

To share the Buddha’s teachings with everyone, to provide an environment for people to recognize their innate wisdom and compassion and embody it in all aspects of daily life.

Tibetan prayer flags

Our Vision

To create an equitable community of diverse people that supports one another on the path of recognizing and actualizing their awakened nature individually, and as a community, to foster cooperation among our whole human family and benefit all beings.

Meditate, Transform & Grow

Pronounced SooK-a-CiDY

Sukhasiddhi Foundation is a place where the profound and transformative teachings of Tibetan Buddhism are studied and practiced. We meditate, transform, and grow in a community of mutual respect, loving kindness, and joy. Sukhasiddhi welcomes people of all religions, ages, racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.

Sukhasiddhi teachers council

Member Testimonial

My life is always being incredibly impacted by anything I study at Sukhasiddhi. I trust more and more in my basic goodness, and less in the waves of emotion and thought that historically have run the show! For anyone interested in learning more about Buddhism—whether they are new, or a more advanced practitioner—there is something to learn. The teachers are authentic and dedicated, but very relaxed and engaging.

The community is also very sincere and open-hearted. I’ve attended many different sanghas before coming to Sukhasiddhi, and I am so impressed with the level of dedication and sincerity of Sukhasiddhi’s teachers and students.”


- Suzanne L.

A Short Introduction to Vajrayana Buddhism

Like many religions, Buddhism inspired various paths of practice, philosophy, and ceremony. While there are many different lineages of Buddhism, the two main branches are Theravada and Mahayana. Vajrayana is part of the Mahayana.


Buddhist Vocabulary

GREEN TARA

Join us for monthly live Green Tara meditations in our Monday night meditations here. Note: the last Monday of each month is a Green Tara meditation.

Access several Green Tara recordings here.

Green Tara's primary activity is one of protection from fear and danger, and she is committed to responding swiftly the moment that we call upon her. Through visualization, mantra, and silent meditation, we deepen our experience of the divine feminine while simultaneously awakening this quality of compassion that is innate to our being, yet often obscured.

The Green Tara practice transforms our distorted view of self and helps us recognize our innate radiant, compassionate nature. 

Have Questions?

Feel free to contact us with any questions! Someone will be in touch shortly.

Please note all offerings are online only.

Mailing Address:

Sukhasiddhi Foundation
P.O. Box 151327
San Rafael, CA 94915

Email:

admin@sukhasiddhi.org