Avikrita Vajra Sakya
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Avikrita Vajra Sakya | |
|---|---|
| Title | Rinpoche |
| Personal | |
| Born | Ngawang Kunga Theckchog Gyurme Dorje 1993 (age 32–33) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Religion | Tibetan Buddhism |
| School | Sakya |
| Lineage | Khön (Phuntsok Phodrang) |
| Notable work(s) | Wake Up to What Matters (2019) |
| Occupation | Buddhist teacher, Author |
| Senior posting | |
| Website | www |
Avikrita Vajra Sakya (born Ngawang Kunga Theckchog Gyurme Dorje, 1993) is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher in the Sakya lineage. He currently serves as the Head Lama of the Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Seattle and is the designated successor to become the 44th Sakya Trizin in October 2026. Born in the United States, he is noted for his role in bringing traditional Buddhist teachings to a global, contemporary audience through both traditional literature and digital media.
Early life and lineage
Avikrita Vajra was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1993. He is a member of the Khön lineage and a direct descendant of the founding lamas of Sakya in its Phuntsok Phodrang branch, one of the two royal houses (alongside the Dolma Phodrang) that provide the Sakya Trizin, the supreme head of the Sakya school.[1] He is the eldest surviving grandson of Jigdal Dagchen Sakya (1929–2016), a prominent lama who established the Sakya Monastery in Seattle in 1974.[2]
Religious leadership
In accordance with the 2017 revised succession system of the Sakya school—which established a three-year rotating tenure for the position of Sakya Trizin based on seniority and age—Avikrita Vajra is scheduled to be enthroned as the 44th Sakya Trizin in October 2026.[3]
He currently oversees the Sakya Monastery in Seattle and its international affiliates. His leadership extends to the Sakya Thegchen Phuntsok Ling Monastery in Jaigaon and the Sakya Heritage Society in New Delhi.[4]
Teachings and publications
Avikrita Vajra has focused his work on adapting Tibetan Buddhist philosophy for contemporary and younger audiences. He is a frequent contributor to Buddhist publications, including Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and Lion's Roar, where he writes on the application of traditional practice to modern social and environmental issues.[5][6]
In 2019, he published Wake Up to What Matters: A Guide to Tibetan Buddhism for the Next Generation through Shambhala Publications. The work features a foreword by the 14th Dalai Lama, who noted the author's ability to communicate traditional values to a globalized generation.[7] Publishers Weekly described the book as an "approachable treatise" suitable for newcomers.[8]
He also utilizes digital media for education, maintaining a YouTube channel and a social media presence that reached over 100,000 followers by 2024.[9] His digital content often focuses on the "Head, Heart, and Hands" approach to Buddhist practice, emphasizing the integration of study, meditation, and social action.
Works
Books
- Wake Up to What Matters: A Guide to Tibetan Buddhism for the Next Generation. Shambhala Publications, 2019. ISBN 978-1611806601.
Selected essays and articles
- "How to Be a Bodhisattva in a Burning World," Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, 2020.
- "Finding the Middle Way in a Divided Society," Lion's Roar, 2021.
- "The Heart of the Khön Lineage," Sakya Heritage Publications, 2018.
Digital media series
Since 2017, Avikrita Vajra has produced several educational video series hosted on YouTube and the Sakya Monastery's digital platforms:
- Buddhism in a Nutshell – An introductory series on basic Buddhist tenets.
- The Path of the Bodhisattva – A commentary on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.
- Vajra Wisdom – A series focusing on the specific practices of the Sakya school.
Reception
Avikrita Vajra's work has been noted for its focus on making traditional Tibetan Buddhist concepts accessible to modern audiences. Publishers Weekly described his writing as a "thorough yet approachable treatise" for newcomers to Mahayana Buddhism.[8] His 2019 book, Wake Up to What Matters, received a foreword from the 14th Dalai Lama, who expressed encouragement for the author's ability to reach "young, modern people in a language and style to which they can relate."[10][11]
References
- ↑ Penny-Dimri, Sandra (1995). "The Lineage of His Holiness Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga". The Tibet Journal. 20 (4): 64–92.
- ↑ "A Great Leader Passes on in Seattle, H.H. Jigdal Dagchen". Northwest Dharma News. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ↑ "A Brief Biography of Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche". Avikrita.org. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ↑ "H.E. Sakya Khöndung Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche". The Sakya Tradition. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ↑ Sakya, Avikrita Vajra. "Author Profile: Khondung Avikrita Vajra Sakya Rinpoche". Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ↑ Sakya, Avikrita Vajra. "Author Archive". Lion's Roar. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ↑ Sakya, Avikrita Vajra (2019). Wake Up to What Matters. Shambhala. p. Foreword. ISBN 9781611806601.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Wake Up to What Matters (Review)". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
This thorough yet approachable treatise on Mahayana Buddhism will be invaluable reading for newcomers...
- ↑ "Avikrita Vajra Sakya". Facebook. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ↑ Sakya, Avikrita Vajra (2019). Wake Up to What Matters. Shambhala. pp. Foreword. ISBN 9781611806601.
- ↑ Odenson, Charlotte (2020-03-06). "Book Review: Wake Up To What Matters by Avikrita Vajra Sakya". World Religion News. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
External links
This article "Avikrita Vajra Sakya" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.