Executive Director . Dharma College
Wangmo Dixey
The mind is far more spacious, creative, and dynamic than we often realize. When we learn to observe our experience with awareness, we begin to discover qualities of wisdom, compassion, and insight that have always been present beneath the surface of our everyday concerns. What fascinates me most is how flexible and malleable the mind can be. In a single moment, our entire experience can shift. One thought arises and a world appears; another thought dissolves and that world disappears. Sometimes I think of a magic marker on a whiteboard an image suddenly appears, seems completely real, and then with a single swipe it is gone. The mind has a remarkable capacity to create, transform, and reimagine our experience from moment to moment. I never cease to be amazed by that.
A few reflections from Wangmo
What first drew you to explore your inner life?
I often feel it is extraordinary karma to have been born as the eldest daughter of one of the great Buddhist masters of our time, Tarthang Tulku. It has been both deeply humbling and profoundly inspiring to watch someone dedicate every aspect of his life to the Dharma. Whether building institutions, preserving texts, creating language, or building bridges across cultures, everything he did pointed toward helping others discover wisdom and freedom from suffering.
Growing up in that environment naturally sparked my curiosity about the mind and human potential. More than anything, I wanted to understand what allows people to move beyond suffering and discover greater meaning, clarity, and purpose in their lives.
What are you currently curious about or investigating?
I am deeply curious about the nature of time and how our experience changes when we are fully present. There are moments when everything seems to come together effortlessly when events unfold with a natural intelligence and timing that feels perfect from every angle. I have observed this quality throughout my father’s life, and it continues to fascinate me.
I am also interested in how we can translate ancient wisdom into language that genuinely helps people move beyond suffering. How do we communicate ideas in a way that is not merely intellectual, but alive with experience and capable of touching something deeper within us?
What is one insight that has stayed with you over time?
Words alone are rarely enough. The most meaningful teachings are those that have been lived, tested, and embodied through experience. When wisdom becomes part of how we live, speak, and relate to others, it carries a different kind of power. It is not simply information it becomes something that can inspire, encourage, and awaken others.
I have also learned that transformation does not come from becoming someone else. It comes from recognizing and trusting qualities that are already present within us.
A simple practice you return to:
Pausing throughout the day to reconnect with my breath, my body, and the space of awareness itself. Even a few moments of stopping can completely change how I experience a situation.
What helps you find balance in daily life?
Time in nature, contemplative practice, meaningful conversations, good food, music, and travel all help me reconnect with what matters most. Spending time with family and friends also reminds me to keep perspective and appreciate life’s simple joys.
A place physical or internal that brings you a sense of peace:
Walking among the redwoods of Northern California always brings me a sense of perspective and ease. Internally, moments of quiet awareness remind me that peace is not something we create it is something we can learn to recognize.
A book, teaching, or idea that has influenced you deeply:
The teachings of the Buddha on awareness, compassion, and interdependence continue to guide my life. I am also deeply influenced by the work of my father, Tarthang Tulku, particularly his efforts to bridge traditional wisdom and contemporary culture through education, language, and direct experience.
A quote you appreciate:
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
The Buddha
A few words for someone just beginning to explore their mind:
Be patient and curious. You do not need to become an expert or have all the answers. Simply begin paying attention to your experience with openness and kindness. Trust that the journey itself will teach you what you need to know.
Websites, books, or YouTube channels:
- Dharma College (www.dharma-college.com)
- Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International (LBDFI) (www.lbdfi.org)
- International Buddhist Association of America (IBAA) (www.ibaa.org)
- Dharma College YouTube Channel
- LBDFI YouTube Channel
Major Feature Articles
- “A Day in the Dharma with Wangmo Dixey” — Tricycle Magazine
- https://tricycle.org/magazine/wangmo-dixey/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Interviews & Media
- Spiritual Journey – Wangmo Dixey (Video Interview)
- Personal reflections on your path and work.
- Wangmo Dixey YouTube Channel
- Includes talks, introductions to Buddhist programs, Bodhgaya activities, and community events.
Something people might not expect about you:
While I serve as Executive Director of Dharma College, Executive Director of the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International, and President of the International Buddhist Association of America, the roles that have taught me the most have been being a daughter and a mother.
Through the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International, I have had the privilege of helping bring together more than 25,000 Buddhist practitioners from 22 countries beneath the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya. Through the International Buddhist Association of America, I helped establish the White House Vesak lamp-lighting ceremony, which is now being celebrated for the fifth time in American history.
Yet some of my greatest teachers have been my two children, who are now young adults. They have continually challenged me to grow beyond my assumptions and limitations and to see the world through fresh eyes. Through them, I have come to appreciate that wisdom cannot simply be passed down—it must be rediscovered by each generation in its own way.
Much of my work today is devoted to a simple question: How do we bridge the wisdom and inspiration that have shaped my life so that future generations can discover it for themselves? If I can help create language, learning, and communities that support that journey, then I will feel I have accomplished something worthwhile.
Outside of work, I love sharing good food with friends, listening to music, traveling, and learning from people and cultures from around the world.
Bio
Wangmo Dixey, born in Berkeley, California in 1969, is the eldest daughter of the respected Venerable Tarthang Tulku. A dedicated leader in the Buddhist community, Wangmo serves as the Director of the College and holds key roles, including Executive Director of the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International and President of the International Buddhist Association of America.
With a BA in International Relations from UCLA and an MA in International Development from American University, Wangmo’s academic background is as impressive as her leadership. In 2023, she was honored with an honorary Ph.D. from Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University in Bangkok, recognizing her lifelong commitment to preserving the Buddha Sasana and her efforts to promote Buddhist teachings globally.
Among her many accomplishments, Wangmo made history by organizing the first-ever Vesak celebration at the White House, marking a significant moment for Buddhism in America. She is married to Dr. Richard Dixey, and together they have two children. Wangmo’s tireless work in bringing Buddhist communities together has earned her numerous international awards, reflecting her unwavering dedication to the Buddha Sasana and the welfare of all beings.
Explore the live online courses Wangmo teaches.