Articles, Podcasts, and Talks from our Lamas

Lion’s Roar Magazine
March 2024

You Are the Embodiment of Compassion (Chenrezig) by Lama Döndrup Drolma

When you view yourself as the bodhisattva Chenrezig, you experience your true nature. Lama Döndrup Drölma offers step-by-step instructions for Chenrezig practice.

The Heart of Now Podcast

Episode 1 | Living Joyfully with Lama Palden Drolma

A thought-provoking discussion with Lama Palden Drolma, a female lineage holder of Tibetan Buddhism.

Lion’s Roar Magazine
September 2023

Green Tara: You Are the Divine Feminine by Lama Döndrup Drolma

No matter your gender identification, you can do Green Tara practice and help bring yourself—and the world—into balance. Lama Döndrup offers step-by-step instructions.

Buddhadharma Magazine
March 2024

The Playful Dance of Awakened Mind by Lama Döndrup Drolma

Lama Döndrup on the illusory nature of phenomena and how we can wake up to reality’s true nature via the body-mind connection.

Buddhadharma

Four Buddhist teachers share concise instructions for recognizing the luminous mind.

By Margarita Loinaz, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Lama Palden Drolma

Meet our Lamas

  • Resident Lama

    Lama Döndrup has been practicing and studying in the Buddhist tradition since the mid-1990’s. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat under the guidance of Lama Palden and Lama Drupgyu with the blessing of her root guru, Bokar Rinpoche and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching at Sukhasiddhi Foundation. In January 2020, as Lama Palden’s successor, she stepped into the role of Resident Lama, guiding the Center’s ministerial work. Lama Döndrup’s teaching style is thorough and clear yet with light touch as she supports the natural unfolding of each student’s innate wisdom and compassion. She aims to preserve the authenticity of the tradition while making the teachings and practices relevant and accessible to the lives of 21st century Westerners. In addition to her Buddhist practice, Lama Döndrup trained the Ridhwan School’s Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance. She is an active classical pianist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Senior Lama & Founder

    Lama Palden Drolma founded Sukhasiddhi Foundation in 1996, developing its curriculum and teaching all classes, retreats and programs for many years as Resident Lama, bringing many people to the profound transformative path, and supporting their growth. In 2002 she initiated and taught a traditional three year retreat and instituted multi-year programs for those serious students who could not attend the retreat. Lama Palden Drolma has led many pilgrimages to Bhutan and India, and has trained and authorized five of her students as lamas in the Shangpa Kagyu lineage, including Lama Döndrup who completed the three year retreat, Lama Tashi (Annik Brunet), Lama Stephen Gross and Lama Pat Berube, who completed all the Shangpa Lineage meditation and training of the three year retreat over a period of many years. Lama Döndrup is now Resident Lama at Sukhasiddhi Foundation, Lama Tashi and Lama Pat have been teaching at Sukhasiddhi for many years, and Lama Stephen lives in Corfu, where he teaches a weekly dharma class. Lama Palden has trained many others as Community Dharma Leaders.

    After two years of living in Portugal, Lama Palden Drolma returned to the San Francisco Bay Area in November 2021, where she continues to act as Senior Lama of Sukhasiddhi Foundation, teaching advanced programs, the Women’s Group, and retreats.