Malcolm Smith: Dzogchen Teacher & Translator

Jul 13, 2025

Malcolm Smith, a seasoned Dzogchen teacher and translator, shares his transformative journey through Tibetan Buddhism. He discusses the deep connections between Dzogchen and internal arts, drawing from his personal experiences with influential teachers. The conversation dives into the philosophical distinctions between Tibetan Buddhist traditions and their implications for self-liberation. Malcolm also reflects on integrating music and spirituality, highlighting the nuances of translating Tibetan texts while comparing Eastern and Western spiritual practices, emphasizing the importance of interconnectedness.

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INSIGHT

Elements in Hinduism vs Buddhism

Hindu and Buddhist views on elements and senses are fundamentally reversed: Hinduism derives elements from senses; Buddhism sees elements as primary.
This contrast impacts how self and liberation are conceptualized in each tradition.

INSIGHT

Risks of Incorrect Meditation

Meditation without the correct view of emptiness can cause undesirable rebirth as unconscious gods or animals.
Studying Buddhist tenet systems helps identify and remove subtle eternalist or nihilist views.

INSIGHT

Meditation's Potential Pitfalls

Meditating on states like bliss or non-conceptuality can lead to rebirth in less desirable realms if misunderstood.
Perfect meditation maintains applied and sustained attention to avoid becoming stuck in unproductive states.

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Born in 1962, Malcolm Smith was raised in Western Massachusetts. Captivated by the sound of Tibetan ritual music in 1984, he began his study of the Dharma. He met his first formal teacher, H. H. Sakya Trizin, in 1989. He studied Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan language under the guidance of Khenpo Migmar Tseten for the next five years at Sakya Institute for Buddhist Studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1990 Malcolm travelled to Nepal to receive lamdré from the late H. H. Sakya Dagchen.

He received his first Dzogchen teachings from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1992. In 1993 he met his second Dzogchen teacher, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, receiving important transmissions. During this year he entered a three-year solitary retreat. In 1998 he met H. H. Penor Rinpoche and received the complete empowerments of the mahayoga section of the Nyingma Kama as well as teachings on the Namchö preliminary practices. In 2001, he met his third Dzogchen teacher, the late Kunzang Dechen Lingpa, from whom he received the Nyinthig Yazhi in its entirety, as well as the formal Ngakpa empowerment in 2004. He met his fourth Dzogchen teacher, H. H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, in 2001, from whom he received the entire transmission of the Gongpa Zangthal in 2010, as well other transmissions. He received the transmission of the Seventeen Tantras from Khenpo Tenzin Thinley in 2012 and again from Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche in 2022. Since 2018, he has been studying under Khenchen Namdrol Tsering of Namdrol Ling MonasteryIn addition, Malcolm has received Sakya, Kagyü, and Nyingma teaching cycles from many other lamas.

Malcolm Smith was awarded the title of acarya by Khenpo Migmar Tseten of Sakya Institute in 2004. In 2008 Malcolm was granted the title of lama by Lama Ngawang Tsultrim, abbot of Dhongag Tharling. In 2009 Malcolm graduated from Shang Shung Institute of America as a doctor of Tibetan medicine, completing an internship in Xining, in the Amdo province of northeast Tibet.

Since 1992 Malcolm Smith has worked on a wide variety of texts for Sakya, Drikung Kagyü, and Nyingma groups, as well as medical and astrological texts.

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