Jesper Jorgenson

Jesper Jorgenson, originally from Denmark, has been a practitioner in the Karma Kagyu Buddhist tradition since 1986. He became the resident teacher of the San Francisco Diamond Way Buddhist Center in 1991 at the request of his teacher Lama Ole Nydahl, the first western student of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Since the early 90's, Jesper has traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe transmitting the teachings of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. To date, he has helped found over 20 Diamond Way Centers in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. His practical western approach to the Dharma is always inspiring, joyful, and insightful.

Tasso Kallianiotis

In 1982 Tasso Kallianiotis entered the Diamond Way by taking Refuge with Lama Ole Nydahl and has remained his student ever since. Although he has received teachings and initiations from many high lamas of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, he has always maintained a very close relationship with Lama Ole and has constantly been under his direct guidance. In 1993, he became a resident of New York City, where he and his wife Lisa started organizing and overseeing the activities of the Diamond Way group there. Since 1995, at Lama Ole's request, he has been teaching and introducing people to the methods of Diamond Way Buddhism.