Jane Pathan Friedewald, Marpa Lobdra Germany e.V.

Jane Pathan Friedewald

When Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche first arrived in Europe in 1977, Jane Pathan Friedewald happened—by fortunate coincidence—to be studying Tibetan at the University of Hamburg. She joined Khen Rinpoche’s first Tibetan language classes in Copenhagen as well as his teachings throughout Europe during the tour accompanying His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.

From the very beginning of her spiritual path, Jane sought to understand the true nature of her own mind and heart. When she met Khen Rinpoche, she immediately recognized the depth and integrity of his Dharma knowledge. Although she repeatedly requested permission to devote herself mainly to meditation, Khen Rinpoche initially refused—strengthening her determination in a skillful way.

When he finally agreed, he offered no specific meditation instructions, placing her directly into the open space of unconditioned experience. Over time, he began guiding a small group of practitioners, inspiring Jane’s interest not only in meditation but also in textual studies.

Khen Rinpoche encouraged her to study and work with the Gradual Stages of Meditation on Emptiness. She has since introduced this text in several languages and has engaged in both oral and written translations. Khen Rinpoche authorized her to teach, discuss, and guide meditation on this subject within the lay community and wherever he himself taught.

In 1983, with Khen Rinpoche’s blessing, Jane settled in rural Sweden, working as an educator for people with cognitive disabilities while offering space for retreat practice. In 1997, changing circumstances led her to Berlin, where she later married an Indian contemplative. There, creative activity flourished: while supporting the development of the Bodhicharya Center, she continued teaching, translating, and undergoing extensive training in upaya—the methods of compassion and maitri space awareness.


She considers the construction of a 7-meter Kadam stupa at Bodhicharya Berlin the culmination of her efforts to help establish a Buddhist center.

Marpa Lobdra Germany

In 2017, with Khenpo Rinpoche’s blessing, Jane founded Marpa Lobdra Germany, a charitable association dedicated to:

• Multilingual Dharma studies
• Tibetan language and translation
• Publications
• Meditation and retreat
• Pilgrimage
• Charity projects
• Musical settings of spiritual texts
• Community study and practice

Following the vision of H.H. Karmapa and Khen Rinpoche, Marpa Lobdra aims to make the classical Indian and Tibetan teachings of Buddhadharma accessible to Western students—similar to a traditional Tibetan Shedra.

The association’s mission is to encourage and support practitioners in exploring, understanding, and integrating the vast and profound teachings of the Buddhadharma for the benefit of others. It aspires to gradually incorporate Khen Rinpoche’s extensive curriculum of philosophy, logic, and meditation.

Marpa Lobdra Germany engages in:

• Financial support for the spiritual and general education of ordained women in Nepal and Bhutan
• In-person and online study programs, meditations, and chanting
• Scriptorium: creation of study materials for sequential Dharma texts such as:
  • The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
  • Bodhicaryāvatāra
  • Mahāyānottaratantra

    plus commentaries by Khen Rinpoche and others
• Translation of sādhanās and meditation manuals
• Development of Tibetan language learning materials (literary and colloquial) with the goal of enabling translation of both written and oral teachings
• Translation and musical adaptation of Pranidhanas and Dohās of great Indian and Tibetan Siddhas
• Inviting Khenpos, Lamas, monastics, translators, and senior students to share their knowledge
• Supporting regional branches such as Marpa Lobdra Munich, led by Anna Maria Schmid