Richard Barron (Chökyi Nyima) has been a student of Buddhism for over 50 years. He completed a traditional three-year retreat in the early 1980s and has worked as a translator and oral interpreter for lamas of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He joined the Namchak team in 2011 and is currently finishing his translation of the history of the Namchak lineage authored by Gochen Tulku Sang Rinpoche.

Timothy Hinkle was encouraged on the path of translation by his first teacher, Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche, which led him to spend three years in Nepal at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute studying Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy. What began as a personal inquiry into the mystery of consciousness has become a calling to serve as a bridge of understanding between minds and cultures. Now living in California with his family, he continues this work as a translator for the Namchak Foundation, aspiring to find the most intimate and direct expressions of ancient wisdom to benefit modern practitioners.

Justin began his study and practice of Buddhism and the Tibetan language in his home state of Indiana. Soon after, he set off with a one-way ticket to India. By living with Tibetans and avoiding the English language at all costs, he quickly became fluent in Tibetan and began his studies in earnest. After studying more fundamental topics of Buddhist philosophy at Sera Monastery and the Thosamling Institute (where he also served as interpreter), he ordained and formally entered the Sherabling Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (Lungrik Jampeling), where he studied for three years. Following his studies, he spent another couple of years receiving practice instructions and doing retreats in Tsopema, an important pilgrimage site of Padmasambhava. He finally returned to the United States after eight years in India. Justin now lives in Montana, where he serves as an interpreter for both Tulku Sangak Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche and as a dharma teacher for the Namchak Foundation.