Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche

The recently deceased Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche (1950–2025) was a distinguished master of Tibetan Buddhism whose vast knowledge, warm humor, and compassionate presence touched students in both the East and the West. In Nepal, Rinpoche founded and led two Buddhist monasteries and a meditation retreat center in Pharping. For many decades, he cared for orphans and children from impoverished families. He devoted himself to writing texts, teachings, and commentaries on Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices, and under his guidance numerous stupas — traditional Buddhist monuments symbolizing enlightenment — were built in Nepal and across Europe.

Rinpoche held the title “Maniwa,” reflecting the fact that, as a master of the practice of Chenrezig (the Buddha of Compassion), he inspired beings to recite more than one billion Om Mani Peme Hung mantras. The activity he dedicated to spiritual practice and helping others continues through the NALA and KKPL foundations, which after Rinpoche’s passing came fully under the spiritual guidance of the 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje.