Shamar Rinpoche is the 14th Shamarpa. Born in 1952 in Tibet, Shamar Rinpoche was recognized by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1957, and by the 14th Dalai Lama. In 1996, he started to organize Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers, a network of centers covering many continents, which practice a non-sectarian approach to meditation. In addition, over the years, Shamar Rinpoche has founded several non-profit organizations worldwide engaged in charitable activities such as schooling underprivileged children and promoting animal rights.

Lara Braitstein is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism at McGill University.