Integrating Buddhism

Ven. Yönten is an American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun in the Gelug Tibetan tradition who was ordained in 2003.

​

Her (merely labeled) pronouns are she/her and she is also a fully ordained Bhikshuni/Gelongma in the Dharmaguptaka tradition.

​

Ven. Yönten’s classes center around “lo-jong” the thought transformation genre of Mahayana Buddhism, as well as various other forms of meditation and philosophy. Her style combines the traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings with a contemporary approach and modern teaching techniques.

Buddhist since her teenage years, Ven. Yönten moved from the USA to Australia and studied extensively under Gyurmé Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering (at Chenrezig Institute, AU) from 2002-2009 before moving to India to study at Thosamling Institute 2010-2011. In 2012, she became an accredited In-Depth Registered Teacher with FPMT and was requested to become the Resident Teacher at Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre in New South Wales, Australia where she remained for three years and frequently visited up until the pandemic. 

​

From 2015 onwards, Ven. Yönten was mainly based in New Zealand at Mahamudra Centre. During that period, she divided her time between leading retreats in New Zealand and teaching Philosophy at Human Spirit: Buddhist Psychoanalytic Training Program in Israel, as well as offering classes and retreats in various parts of Europe, until she moved back to the USA in 2021. 

Yönten-la also occasionally offers retreats and courses at Vajrapani Institute and Land of Medicine Buddha - both in California. She also has experience in hospice work and palliative care, as well as a deep commitment to social justice and a love of animals.

​

Bhikshuni Lozang Yönten is currently the Chaplain of Maitripa College as well as a Lecturer of Buddhist Studies.