Abhaya Devi – Bauddha Yogini (Buddhist Yogini), meditation teacher, writer, artist, co-founder of “Way of Bodhi”.
Yogini Abhaya Devi writes and gives discourses on Buddhist philosophy and meditation. She divides her time between meditation retreats, writing, exploration of Buddhist philosophy, history and art, and guiding others in practising Buddhism.
Eager to understand the nature of reality and the meaning behind the spiritual experiences she had, she journeyed through various philosophies and spiritual traditions from childhood. Meanwhile, she found her life companion in Yogi Prabodha Jnana who was also on a similar quest. Then, both of them continued their exploration together. After a while, she left her job in the Technology field and became a full-time explorer to find answers to her long lingering questions.
At that time, she and Yogi Prabodha came across Guru Padmasambhava and his teachings. They both felt an instant connection to him as their Guru. She was especially awed by the vastness of the view he taught and the way his teachings cut across the dualistic mind to its naked simplicity. This episode led her deeply into the teachings of the Buddha. Coming across Buddhism, changed her perspective dramatically.
Traversing the path of the Yogic tradition of Buddhism, she trained under eminent masters of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche Katyayana are some of her root teachers. Upon completion of her training, she was given the robes of a yogini (naljorma) by Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the present head of Palyul Nyingma lineage.
Yogini Abhaya Devi spent many years in a semi-retreat life to pursue intense meditation and learning, including solitary retreats in the Himalayas. In 2008, according to the advice of Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, she along with Yogi Prabodha established a Dharma centre in Bangalore for the Namdroling Monastery.
In 2016, Yogi Prabodha Jnana and Yogini Abhaya Devi founded "Way of Bodhi" to make the essence of Buddhism, as preserved in diverse cultures, accessible to all without cultural barriers. Way of Bodhi emphasizes the practice of Buddhism as the way of living with deepening wisdom awareness.