Justin Kirkwood | Teacher and Translator

Justin Kirkwood works as a Tibetan translator and Buddhist educator at the Namchak Foundation. He is a close student of Namchak Khen Rinpoche and serves as his primary interpreter. Justin began his study and practice of Buddhism and the Tibetan language in his home state of Indiana. He was quickly inspired by the idea of learning Buddhism through the Tibetan language in a traditional setting, so he set off with a one-way ticket to India. By living with Tibetans and avoiding the English language at all costs, he quickly became fluent in Tibetan and began his studies in earnest.

After studying essential topics of functions and categories of mind, Buddhist logic and epistemology, and tenet systems at Sera Monastery and the Thosamling Institute (where he also served as interpreter), he ordained and formally entered the Sherabling Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (Lungrik Jampeling). He studied The Way of the Bodhisattva, Collected Topics, the Pamanavarttika, the Treasury of Valid Cognition and Reasoning, the Fundamental Verses of the Middle Way, and other branch topics of Buddhist philosophy. Following his studies, he returned his monastic vows and spent another couple of years receiving practice instructions and doing retreats in Tsopema, an important pilgrimage site of Padmasambhava. He finally returned to the United States after eight years in India. Soon after, Justin met Namchak Khen Rinpoche, and they instantly felt a connection, as if they were old friends.

They have worked together as teacher, student, and interpreter ever since. Over the years, Justin has studied with and served as an interpreter for many other excellent teachers, such as Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, Jigme Namgyal Rinpoche, Lho Ontrul Rinpoche, Chamtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsulnam Rinpoche, Drupon Tsering, Lama Wangdor Rinpoche, and Geshe Tsewang Nyima. His teachers in India instructed him to teach when he returned home. To fulfill their wishes, he teaches meditation and sutra-level Buddhist philosophy and assists Namchak Khen Rinpoche with all his programs at the Namchak Foundation, including Walking the Path and Intro to Calm Abiding.