Tsering Ngodup
Chaplain, Buddhist Lama
& Meditation Teacher
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I share teachings passed down through generations of Buddhist masters and students, supporting people of all backgrounds to cultivate resilience, clarity, and compassion.
About me
I am a Tibetan Buddhist lama (Dharma teacher), authorized to teach by HH Kunsig Shamar Rinpoche, lineage holder of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. I have worked with people of all backgrounds and at all stages of life as an interfaith hospital chaplain, hospice spiritual caregiver, and teacher of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT)
Born in Tibet, my early years were shaped by the challenges of displacement, as my family and I fled the Chinese occupation, seeking refuge in Nepal and India. Under the direction of HH the Dalai Lama, I was able to receive an education in India that was offered to Tibetan children in diaspora. I developed a deep commitment to preserving Tibetan culture and language and sharing our unique spiritual traditions.
I taught Tibetan language, culture, and religion and served as an interpreter for Tibetan Buddhist meditation masters and scholars in Germany and across Europe. In 2000, I came to the United States under the spiritual direction of HH Shamar Rinpoche. My role was to translate and teach Buddhist philosophy and meditation, which remains central to my life’s work.
Over the years, my journey has been shaped by a dedication to bridging spiritual wisdom with compassionate care. I am the founder and spiritual director of the Bodhi Tree Institute for Tibetan Buddhist Study and Practice, where I guide meditation and study groups focused on the Mahayana path. I teach at the Omega Institute, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers, Arlington Center, Open Spirit, Boston Center for Contemplative Practice, and many other public and private (in home) programs. Whether teaching, counseling, or leading meditation, my goal is to support others in cultivating peace, resilience, and coping skills.
How I can support you
With decades of experience as a spiritual teacher, chaplain, and meditation instructor, I offer personalized support for individuals, families and organizations.
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I offer spiritual counseling to help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges, including times of grief, crisis, and transition. Grounded in Buddhist wisdom and practices, I work with people of all beliefs and traditions to bring insight and support change. Counseling may address:
Spiritual Questions
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Depression, Anxiety, and Trauma Recovery
Addiction Recovery
End-of-life Pastoral Care & Bereavement
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The mindfulness and meditation training I offer draws on centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist practices, helping cultivate awareness, compassion, and calm-abiding. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, I share methods to integrate mindfulness into daily life.
Offerings include:
Custom Programs for Individuals, Groups, or Organizations
Lunch-break Meditation (via Zoom)
Walking Meditation
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I offer spiritual support to individuals and families facing the end of life. As an experienced end-of-life spiritual caregiver, my role is to hold a sacred space, fostering acceptance, dignity, and grace during this profound transition.
Offerings include:
Preparing for Death & Finding Peace in the Final Stage of Life
Supporting Families Through the Grieving Process
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I offer consultations, workshops, and lectures that explore how meditation practices can foster well-being and resilience, bringing scientific and spiritual perspectives together. I work with medical professionals, scholars, and others to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and compassion in their personal and professional lives.
Topics include:
Exploring the Buddhist Path to Healing and Resilience
The Science of Meditation: Bridging Buddhism and Psychology
Navigating Mental Health Challenges Through Spiritual Practice
Investigating the Role of Compassion in Healing and Recovery
Credentials & Experience
Buddhist Lama
Recognized as a "lama" (spiritual teacher) by His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche, Tsering has over four decades of experience as a Buddhist teacher, meditation guide, and interpreter of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. He regularly teaches at the Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers, Omega Institute for Holistics Studies, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and many more. He has been a guest speaker at numerous universities and medical centers, including Tufts University, Brandeis University, Harvard Divinity School, and Boston Medical Center, sharing the depth of Buddhist teachings with academic, medical, and spiritual communities.
CBCT® Certified Teacher
Tsering is certified by Emory University as a teacher of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®), a secular program developed at Emory University that cultivates compassion through guided practices and cognitive insights. Grounded in both ancient contemplative traditions and modern psychology, CBCT helps individuals build resilience, improve mental health, and enhance relationships by fostering empathy and compassionate awareness.
Hospital Chaplain
With over fourteen years of experience as an interfaith staff chaplain at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, as well as over five years as a chaplain and study therapist at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Tsering brings deep experience providing spiritual care and teaching to patients, families, and medical professionals. He completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center, and he mentored students doing their chaplaincy internship, as a Field Education Supervisor at the Harvard Divinity School.
End-of-Life Spiritual Counselor
With years of experience providing end-of-life care in hospice settings, hospitals, and personal residences, Tsering offers compassionate spiritual guidance and support to individuals and families navigating the final stages of life. Drawing on Buddhist teachings and his work as a chaplain, he creates a supportive space for people of all faiths and traditions to cultivate peace, acceptance, and dignity during this profound transition.
Testimonials
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