Founded in 1073 CE, the Sakya school is one of the main traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Khön Konchog Gyalpo, the founder, became a disciple of Drogmi, one of the principle translators of the new Tantra during the second phase of translation of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan. He built the first monastery at a land called Sakya. Since then, the authentic teachings are passed successively through the blood lineage of the Khön family to the present lineage masters. The Khön family continues to spread the Dharma tirelessly in order to benefit all beings.
Lineage Masters
His Holiness Sakya Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
His Holiness is the 41st patriach of the Khon lineage which dates back to 1073. He is reputed to be an emanation of both Manjushri and Mahasiddha Virupa, the founder of the Lamdre teachings. He is a brilliant religious master who manifests profound wisdom and compassion, and his excellent command of English render his teachings particularly beneficial to Western students. [more]
He was born in 1945 in Tibet and travelled with his family to India in 1959 where he continues to live and rebuild both the lay and monastic elements of the Sakya tradition. He has guided the establishment of over thirty monasteries in India and Nepal and has helped found Sakya centres around the world.
His Holiness Sakya Trichen is the Spiritual Head of the Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling Centre in Vancouver, Canada.
His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche
His Holiness Ratna Vajra Sakya Rinpoche, the elder son of His Holiness Sakya Trichen, born in 1974 at Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh in India, is the 42nd Sakya Trizin. He received his basic religious studies at the Sakya Centre, Rajpur. He then joined the Sakya College and finished his Kachupa degree. He has given many teachings and initiations in India and abroad and has also done many retreats on the principal deities of the Sakya order. [more]
His Holiness Gyana Vajra Rinpoche
His Holiness Gyana Vajra Rinpoche is the 43rd Sakya Trizin and a spiritual leader of our society. He is the younger son of His Holiness Sakya Trichen, born in 1979. Along with his noble father His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and his elder brother His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, His Holiness has worked to spread the teachings of the Buddha. Trizin Rinpoche has, for several years, turned the wheel of Dharma across the world, giving teachings and initiations to disciples in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Having trained extensively in the teachings of the Buddha, His Holiness personifies kindness and compassion. Combining ancient wisdom and contemporary knowledge, his teachings are direct, profound, and relevant to our everyday reality. Complex Buddhist concepts are made easily accessible through examples to which all students can relate. Trizin Rinpoche chooses to guide his students along the Dharma path as a friend, while his openness and sense of humour bring joy to all who come into his presence. He is loved and admired for his humility and compassionate nature. In addition to his native Tibetan, Trizin Rinpoche is also fluent in both English and Hindi.
H.E. Kyabje Luding Khenchen Rinpoche
His Eminence Kyabje Dorje Chang Luding Khenchen Rinpoche [1931-2022] was one of the most highly respected and learned teachers of the Sakya tradtion and of Tibetan Buddhism at large. He is believed to be the emanation of Vajrapani. His Eminence was the Head of the Ngor, one of the three sub-sects of the Sakya tradition. He was born to the clan of Shang, Sharchen or Ludingpa, which is renowned for producing great scholars and siddhas. Rinpoche has entered into parinirvana in Bodhgaya on 28 December 2022.
H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche
His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche is the abbot of the Ngor Monastery of the Sakya order, and head of hundreds of other branch monasteries. He is one of the most important lineage holders of the Sakya order.