Teachings with Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche

Based on the text “Stairway to Akanishtha” by Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche will guide us in the practice of Kyérim, also known as the development stage or visualization practice, in which we purify our ordinary perception into the purity of our innate nature.

Kyabjé Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche is the highest-ranking Khenpo in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the principal lineage holders of the Palyul tradition.

Please note
Participation requires a Shyitro empowerment. Here you can find a list of all the Shyitro empowerments that have been given to the Rigpa Sangha.

Online access
The event will take place online and on-site at Dharma Mati. In order to participate online, you must already have experience with Vajrayana teachings and practice in addition to the Shyitro empowerment. The online access details will be sent out shortly before the event begins.

Resources
The English translation of Jigme Lingpa's text with commentary by Patrul Rinpoche is published in the book Deity, Mantra and Wisdom – Development Stage Meditation in Tibetan Buddhist Tantra. This book is available in bookshops, including as an e-book.

For this event, a German translation of Jigme Lingpa's text will be produced for the first time and made available to participants.

In preparation for Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche's teachings, we recommend that all members of the Rigpa Sangha familiarise themselves with the section on Kyerim practice in the Rigpa Sangha's Guide to Vajrayana Practice.

Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche was born in 1936 in Riphu, Derge (eastern Tibet). As a child, he studied with his uncle Lama Chötsang. At the age of 14, he went to Lhasa, where he studied with masters from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and in 1953 he received ordination from Shechen Kongtrul Rinpoche. There he met Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, whom he served for ten years and with whom he fled to Bhutan and India in 1959. From him he received many transmissions, including teachings on the Guhyagarbha Tantra and Longchenpa’s works.

He also spent time in Nenang and Tsurphu with great Kagyu masters and met Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. In India, he further studied with Dudjom Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsöndrü, and Trulshik Rinpoche, from whom he received full monastic vows. In 1968, he was invited by Penor Rinpoche to Namdroling. After the founding of the Shedra in 1978, he tirelessly taught and guided there for 25 years until 2003.

Provisional schedule
Sat | 15.11.2025 | 9:00 – 17:00
Sun | 16.11.2025 | 9:00 – 17:00
Mon | 17.11.2025 | 9:00 – 11:00
Tue | 18.11.2025 | 9:00 – 11:00
Wed | 19.11.2025 | 9:00 – 12:30