Erik Pema Kunsang

By mark

Published on March 24, 2021

Project Consultant

Erik Pema Kunsang is a dharma teacher and translator of tantric texts and pith instructions of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. Erik is leading workshops for our Translator Training Program, advising the project on the esoteric textual material, and sharing his own translations with the project.

Early in life, a deep curiosity about the nature of reality led Erik to connect with the tradition of Buddha Shakyamuni and Padmasambhava, which he has studied, practiced and served ever since. Under the guidance of his main teachers, the dzogchen master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Erik has translated numerous Dharma texts in inspiring and accessible language. He is the co-founder of Rangjung Yeshe Publications, Rangjung Yeshe Institute (Nepal), and several Gomde retreat centers across Europe. Appointed by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche to teach the dharma, he now guides retreats on simplicity, naturalness, love, and insight.

In 2016, Erik founded Bodhi Training in Denmark, a two-year education initiative that explores all levels of insight into the Buddha’s teachings, giving participants an opportunity to connect with the dharma in a gradual, experiential, and interactive way.

These days he enjoys a quiet life with his wife Tara, singing mantras and buddhist songs, and doing no-dig gardening. It brings him deep happiness to make it possible to chant in English the original poetry of dharma, especially the sādhana texts of Padmasambhava.