Nalanda translates as “the place that confers the lotus (of spirtual knowledge)” and was the name of the great Buddhist university that flourished for some 1800 years in ancient India. Bodhi translates as “enlightenment.”

Under the direction of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Nalandabodhi was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing the genuine lineage of Tibetan Buddhism within the modern international community. Since Nalandabodhi's inception in 1997, Rinpoche has, under the Nalandabodhi umbrella, established main centers and study groups in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. The main activities of Nalandabodhi are to:

1. Provide students with a complete, graduated curriculum of Dharma study and a path of practice, along with appropriate text books and materials
2. Publish the oral commentaries of important contemporary teachers
3. Pursue the translation and publication of religious texts by significant historic teachers
4. Support communication between the western and international Buddhist sanghas Study and Practice Curriculum

In 1998, the Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche graciously assumed the position of Spiritual Director of Nalandabodhi and currently works closely with Rinpoche on the development of all phases of the curriculum.

NBNY started as a study group in 2004 and became a center in 2007.

In accordance with the vision of contributing to an authentic transmission of the Buddhadharma to contemporary students in our region, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has designed a complete, progressive curriculum providing in-depth training in study, reflection and meditation.

Formal study at Nalandabodhi Dharma Centers presently consists of a Hinayana - Mahayana curriculum, in a format utilizing source book materials, lectures, discussion groups and exams. This curriculum is also available in a homestudy and partially in an online format. Many students who wish to develop their study and practice may not have access to a local dharma center or may be unable to attend regularly formal teachings or other practice programs. Nalandabodhi New York students study and practice within the lineages of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions held by Rinpoche.