Monastic

Sister Barani

Sister Barani has been a student of Vajrayana Buddhism for over 35 years. She graduated from Naropa University in 1985 with a Master degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy. She currently reside at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center

other Monastic Teachers

This includes Monastics currently residing or guests at Heartwood Refuge who share the Dharma.

Sister Diamond

Sister True Moon of Clear Suchness

Sister True Moon of Clear Suchness received ordination in the Plum Village Vietnamese  Zen tradition (Thich Nhat Hanh). She was ordained in Deer Park Monastery on September 9, 2019 and has recently left and took refuge in Heartwood Refuge. Being apart of the community here at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center has given her the […]

Venerable Soma Bhikkhuni

Venerable Soma is ordained as a Theravadan Monk and has resided at Heartwood Refuge since 2019. During this time she has been the assistant to Venerable Pannavati, Abbot and the coordinator of Treasure Human Life, developing educational programs for Dalit children in India, migrant camp for children and other service programs. Prior to taking and […]

Dorjé Lopön Dr. Hun Lye

Dr. Hun Lye (Könchok Yedor) was born and raised in a Buddhist family with a very devout paternal grandmother in Penang, Malaysia. From a very young age, all matters related to religion, ritual and mythology were of special interest to him. While learning about all the major world religions and spiritualities with keen interest, Dr. Lye felt […]

Lama Surya Das

Lama Surya Das  is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars, one of the main interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, and a leading spokesperson for the emerging American Buddhism. The Dalai Lama affectionately calls him “The Western Lama.”  Surya has spent over forty five years studying Zen, vipassana, yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism […]

Venerable Pannavati

Venerable Pannavati Bhikkhuni is founder of Heartwood Refuge, an intentional spiritual community and abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, a 21st century trans-lineage Buddhist Order. Ordained in Theravada and Mahayana with Vajrayana empowerments and authorization to teach, she currently serves as a VP for the US for the Global Buddhist Bhikkhuni Association and propagates the teachings […]