Professor and Buddhist Teacher

About Lara Braitstein, PhD

Lara Braitstein, PhD, is an associate professor of Indian and Tibetan/Himalayan Buddhism at McGill University in Montreal. Lara has also taught in Australia, Europe, India, and Nepal, and has spent a good deal of time in Kenya and neighboring African countries. A Tibetan language translator, her most recent publication is Saraha’s Adamantine Songs.

Lara’s spiritual journey was deeply influenced by the late Shamar Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan meditation master with whom Lara worked closely as a student, translator, and editor. Their collaboration resulted in the publication of Shamar Rinpoche’s seminal book The Path to Awakening, a modern treatise on the classic Buddhist Mind Training teachings.

A very popular and sought-after teacher, Lara is appreciated for her enthusiasm, clarity, and eloquence. She has a knack for taking complicated philosophical concepts and presenting them in a relatable way so that one can easily use them for inspiration in one’s meditation practice and everyday life.