Teachers-rg

Derek Kolleeny

Derek Kolleeny began the practice and study of Buddhism in 1976 under the guidance of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and later continued it with other leading dharma teachers, primarily Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in the Comparative Study of World Religions, focused on Buddhism, including study of Sanskrit and Tibetan languages. He was a member of the Nalanda Translation Committee and  has held a variety of dharma leadership positions including visit coordinator at Vajradhatu for many great teachers including the XVIth Karmapa and the Dalai Lama, founding member and Treasurer of the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center for fifteen years, Director of Practice and  Study of the Shambhala Meditation Center of New York from 2000-2005, creator and teacher of the Rime Shedra NYC, and founder and co-leader of the Westchester Buddhist Center, which is dedicated to the tradition of the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.