Anyen Rinpoche is a tulku from Amdo, Tibet, and is an esteemed scholar as well as the heart son of his root Lama, Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche. He is the fifth in an unbroken lineage of heart sons who received their uncommon lineage of the Longchen Nyingthig and introduction to the Dzogchen teachings directly from the renowned Dzogchen master Patrul Rinpoche. Anyen Rinpoche's training included more than fourteen years of intensive study combined with solitary retreat before he obtained the degree of khenpo and became the head scholar of his root Lama's monastic university in Kham, Tibet.

Anyen Rinpoche was raised from birth by the accomplished Dzogchen yogi Lama Chupur. In addition to receiving the entirety of his own root Lama's empowerments, transmissions, and oral instructions, Anyen Rinpoche received the transmissions, empowerments and instructions on the channels, energies and essences from the eminent Ngakpa yogi Dorlo Rinpoche. He also studied Lamrim Chenmo, as well as the Gelugpa style of logic and debate, with Dehor Geshe.

Now living outside of Tibet, Anyen Rinpoche follows in the footsteps of his own root Lama to pass on the wisdom of his lineage, and specifically the teachings on the union of Dzogchen and Bodhicitta. Anyen Rinpoche is known for his profound understanding of the scriptures as well as his easy-to-understand interpretation of them. He has taught extensively in Tibet and China and now mentors students throughout Southeast Asia, Japan and North America. Anyen Rinpoche is also a member of the faculty at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.

Dietary Restrictions  NEW
When participating in sangha potlucks or if you hosting Rinpoche please be mindful of the following dietary restrictions.We recently learned that Rinpoche has a severe reaction to wheat and gluten and can no longer eat any foods that contain these ingredients.  Wheat and gluten are in almost everything, so it really takes reading labels and especially looking for labels that say "wheat free/gluten free" to be sure that what you are using doesn't contain these ingredients.  On a positive note, there are gluten free versions of almost everything, even pasta, breads and flours.  Rice (even risotto). quinoa and rice noodles are a good option.  I've found that Vitamin Cottage has a greater variety of these foods than the other natural foods markets.

In any case, please be mindful of Rinpoche when you plan your meals so that we make sure he has enough to eat.  This doesn't mean that no one should bring anything with wheat in it, but it would be nice to have a variety of food and also if gluten-free foods were marked so I know what he can eat. There are also two other shedra members with the same allergy, so its good for everyone if we make this change!  If you want to make something and have a question about ingredients, I suggest you email Spencer, who knows way more about this than I do at this point. His email is:samestream@gmail.com.