We offer a unique opportunity to meet recognized Buddhist teachers through lectures, seminars, empowerments, and retreats. Personal contact with spiritual masters is essential for practitioners, as it allows for a deeper understanding of Buddhism than can be achieved through self-study alone. Especially in the Tibetan tradition, the direct transmission of teachings is crucial – many techniques depend on subtle nuances that can only be captured during a personal meeting with a master.
On this page, you will find information about past visits of significant Tibetan Buddhist teachers, arranged chronologically, along with links to recordings.
2025
His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche
His Eminence Khöndung Asanga Vajra Sakya Rinpoche, the future Sakya Trizin (throne holder of the Sakya lineage), is a direct descendant of the unbroken Khön lineage, which dates back to 1073. Asanga Rinpoche is the grandson of His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Dorje Chang Rinpoche and also the grandson of His Eminence Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche.
More information about Rinpoche's life can be found here.
On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Tibet Open House in Prague, His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche bestowed the empowerment – the blessing of Orange Manjushri Arapatsana, who embodies the wisdom of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
During his second visit to the Czech Republic, Rinpoche also visited the center of the venerable Dhammadipa. Before departing for India, he also very clearly explained the foundations of Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation at the Karma Thegsum Chöling center in Bratislava.
His Eminence Ngor Thartse Khen Rinpoche
His Eminence Ngor Thartse Khen Rinpoche is the 77th throne holder, or highest representative, of the Ngor lineage of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Currently, he alternates with H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche in performing the duties of the throne holder of the Ngor lineage. Rinpoche does not travel to the West very often; this was his first time in Europe this year.
More information about Rinpoche's life can be found here.
On Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, Rinpoche bestowed the Great General Empowerment of the Three Buddha Families – a two-day initiation of the mandala of the protectors of the three Buddha families: Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani, who embody and encompass the wisdom, kindness, and power of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the term empowerment is used for a ritual initiation ceremony that authorizes practitioners to perform specific tantric practices. It is a formal transmission of spiritual teachings and practices from teacher to student.
His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin
His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher of the Sakya tradition. He is a direct descendant of the unbroken Khön lineage, which dates back to 1073. He is considered one of the most qualified masters of Tibetan Buddhism.
Rinpoche's biography can be found here.
His Holiness visited the Czech Republic with his eldest daughter, Jetsunma Kunga Trinley Palter, and a large entourage at the end of June 2025. On Wednesday, June 25, at Tibet Open House in Prague, he spoke about kindness, compassion, and wisdom in everyday life – qualities that form the core of Buddhist practice but also have universal significance. He also introduced basic concepts of Buddhist practice, such as bodhicitta and refuge. On the evening of the same day, His Holiness Sakya Trizin also bestowed the empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni and granted the Vajrakilaya – Kago blessing, which is a very effective ritual for removing obstacles.
Before the empowerment, Jetsunma Kunga Trinley Palter also spoke briefly about correct motivation and its importance.
A video of the lecture by His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin can be viewed here (in English only).
2024
His Eminence Ngor Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche
Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche is the head lama of Khangsar Labrang, one of the four monastic seats of the Ngor lamas of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He teaches and resides primarily in Manduwala and cares for the communities of monks and nuns in northern India.
On the weekend of October 18–20, 2024, at Tibet Open House in Prague, Rinpoche bestowed the empowerment of Green Tara and instructions on the Seven-Point Mind Training, one of the most famous Tibetan Buddhist texts regarding mind training (Lojong). This teaching provides specific methods for transforming everyday challenges and adversity into opportunities for spiritual growth and awakening.
The Czech translation of this text can be found here.
Video recordings of the teaching (Tibetan with Czech translation) can be viewed here.
Khenchen Chögyal Nyima
Khenchen Chögyal Nyima is a renowned teacher of Buddhist philosophy. He studied at the main shedra in the Sakya tradition in India, which was established by H.H. the 41st Sakya Trichen in Puruwala near Dehradun. He was appointed as the head khenpo at this shedra and held this position for 18 years, until 2022. Since leaving this position, he resides mostly in meditation retreats.
During his visit to Europe, on August 19, 2024, he lectured online on the differences between the teachings of the Sutras and Vajrayana. Sutrayana includes the teachings of Theravada and Mahayana. It is also known as the "causal path," in which practitioners focus on the causes for achieving enlightenment, e.g., the six perfections (paramitas). Buddhahood appears as a result when all these causes are completed. The teachings and practice of Vajrayana, or the "path of secret mantra," belong to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. They contain many effective methods, such as visualizations, recitation of mantras, etc., allowing for the rapid attainment of direct realization of the Buddha nature.
Khenpo also taught on September 8, 2024, in Sloup v Čechách, about Vajrayana – about empowerment, subsequent practice, and the results this practice brings.
Khenpo Jampa Khedrub
Khenpo Jampa Khedrub is a renowned teacher of Buddhist philosophy. He studied at Sakya College in Dehradun, where he also taught for 5 years. In 2009, he was appointed head khenpo of the shedra (monastic university) for nuns in Manduwala, Dehradun. He held this position for 9 years. Since leaving this position, he resides mostly in meditation retreats.
On August 21, 2024, during his visit to Europe, he taught online on the practice of Mahayana Buddhism based on the famous teaching of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, the first of the five patriarchs or founders of the Sakya tradition – Parting from the Four Attachments.
This text is available for viewing here.
Khenpo also taught on September 9, 2024, in Sloup v Čechách about the Bardo, i.e., the various phases we go through during life and death.
2023
His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche
His Eminence Khöndung Asanga Vajra Sakya Rinpoche, the future Sakya Trizin (throne holder of the Sakya lineage), is a direct descendant of the unbroken Khön lineage, which dates back to 1073. Asanga Rinpoche is the grandson of His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Dorje Chang Rinpoche and also the grandson of His Eminence Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche.
More information about Rinpoche's life can be found here.
His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche first visited the Czech Republic in June 2023. On June 20, 2023, at Tibet Open House in Prague, he explained the text of the 7th Sakya throne holder, Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, "A Clear Mirror of Cause and Effect." This text serves as an introduction to the law of karma and clarifies what consequences actions have and how they can affect us.
The full text "A Clear Mirror of Cause and Effect" (in Czech only) is available here.
A video of the teaching (in English only) can be viewed here.
2022
His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin
H.H. the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche first visited the Czech Republic on August 23–28, 2022. During a two-day seminar in Prague (August 26–27, 2022), he explained the basic concepts of the Buddha's teachings in a very clear way. He spoke about the Four Truths, which is the first and fundamental teaching of the Buddha, as well as the Four Immeasurables – kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, the practice of Mahayana Buddhism summarized in the six transcendental perfections or six paramitas, and its foundation, altruistic motivation and the determination to achieve enlightenment – bodhicitta. He also explained how refuge is understood in Buddhism and bestowed refuge vows and bodhisattva vows.
At the end of the seminar, Rinpoche also bestowed the Vajrakilaya blessing, which is considered very effective for removing obstacles in Dharma practice. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrakilaya is an important yidam who overcomes obstacles and obscurations. He is a wrathful form of Buddha Vajrasattva or Vajrapani.
