Karen became a Buddhist in 1984 in Bodh Gaya, India, with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. After receiving teachings from Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche, she continued her studies with many prominent Nyingma and Kagyü teachers over the next few years before landing in Boulder, where she became a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Since then, she has followed the practice path he laid out, recently completing her Vajrakilaya retreats. For over thirty years, she has taught and led programs in Shambhala East Coast centres, as well as serving in various administrative roles including head of Practice & Study and of External Affairs for the Washington, DC Shambhala Centre.
Events with Karen Porterfield
The Wisdom Weapon of Compassion: A Vajrakilaya RetreatNovember 6 - 23, 2025
THE WISDOM WEAPON OF COMPASSION: A VAJRAKILAYA RETREAT With Dorje Loppön Lodrö Dorje and Karen Porterfield A Foundational Yidam for Gaining Realization and for Engaging a World in Turmoil From HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s commentary: “The wisdom mind of the Buddhas is naturally permeated by all-encompassing compassion, the essence of emptiness. Like a sharp weapon, this great compassion has the power to sever all the obscuring emotions and suffering of sentient beings.” From the Netik Phurba sadhana: “The vajra space of suchness Raging against whatever opposes compassion Cuts the kleshas, aggression, and grasping and fixation. . . Obstacles, maras and…
