Dharma Influencers for the Modern World

At the hilltop of Tergar Osel Ling Monastery in Nepal, I met two young monks from Class 7 of the Shedra, both deeply committed to bringing the Dharma to life in ways that reach today's wider audience. While their monastic paths are deeply rooted in a centuries-old tradition, their tools of transmission include smartphones, editing apps, and Instagram reels.

Sonam Dhonyoe and Karma Wangyel are not alone on this path. Across the Himalayan region and beyond, more and more monastics are tapping into their creativity to share the Dharma through social media—reaching younger, more digitally connected audiences. It's a quiet but growing movement, shaped by sincerity, innovation, and a shared aspiration to make the teachings accessible in a rapidly changing world.

For Sonam Dhonyoe it began as a personal journey to improve his English—but it quickly evolved into a heartfelt offering. His first post was a video about Saga Dawa, the most sacred month in the Tibetan calendar celebrating three major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni—his Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana (passing from this life). That one small act sparked a deeper aspiration to share more about Buddhism and the teachings of Mingyur Rinpoche with those who had never heard his name.

"I wanted to promote Rinpoche, especially among people who didn't know him. Short, clear messages from his teachings that really helped both me and others."

Much of their inspiration comes from Mingyur Rinpoche himself, whose ability to communicate profound teachings through simple, accessible videos has had a deep impact on many. For Sonam and Karma, sharing the Dharma online isn't about leaving tradition behind—it's about carrying their teacher's example forward to benefit more people.

They are also part of Dharma Awareness, a grassroots group of 20 monastics—many of whom attended Tergar's Dharma Teacher Workshop led by Mingyur Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Ringu Tulku—working to bring the teachings back to their hometowns and reach local communities.

Modern Tools, Traditional Wisdom

While Sonam creates Dharma content in English, Karma focuses on Nepali—ensuring their videos resonate with a broader Himalayan audience. Together, their short clips, featuring Rinpoche's teachings, monastery life, pujas, breathtaking landscapes, roleplay, and inspiring quotes, are more than just posts; they are acts of devotion and part of a carefully considered service to the Dharma.

Initially, some in the community reacted with surprise or even amusement at monks using social media. But over time, their consistency and sincerity won respect. It was never about likes or fame, but about sharing and accessibility.

"Nowadays, people don't have time to read long texts. Short videos with clear messages—that's what they appreciate."

Importantly, their posts are grounded in authentic Dharma, not personal opinion. "We only share teachings we've received from our teachers", Sonam explained. "It's never our own view."

At the same time, they're deeply aware of the challenges that come with social media: the temptation of ego, the pressure to perform, and the discouragement that can arise when engagement is low. Their advice to fellow monastics who wish to become Dharma influencers is clear; stay humble, and keep going. Dharma work may take time to show results, but its impact spreads far and wide.

Messages from the Heart

As his online presence grew, Sonam began receiving private messages—mostly from Indian and Nepali followers—seeking advice about personal challenges, emotional struggles, or family situations.

While deeply moved by their trust, he also felt a growing responsibility. "Sometimes I don't feel confident enough to answer," he admitted. "My English isn't strong enough yet, or I'm not sure how to explain the teachings clearly for their situation." When that happens, he usually guides people toward Mingyur Rinpoche's talks or books that he personally felt helpful.

Supporting the Next Generation

Sonam and Karma's experiences reveal the need for collaborators to support today's up and coming monastic teachers. While many monastics possess deep wisdom and aspiration, they often lack the tools—multi language communication skills and multicultural sensitivity—needed to share the Dharma effectively to various audiences. Supporting monks like Sonam and Karma in these moments is exactly what the Three Cups Monastic Teacher Training Program aims to do- help them grow not only as scholars, but also as teachers, guides, and compassionate voices in a rapidly changing world.

The Sarnath International Nyingma Institute's Three Cups initiative supports monastic educators in gaining the tools, confidence, and creativity to serve as bridge-builders, translating timeless wisdom into living knowledge, connecting the Dharma to real life, communities, and the needs of both lay and monastic communities. And just as Sonam and Karma aim to be creative and continue to evolve in times of continual change, so SINI aims to remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of monastics regionally and globally.

Sonam and Karma are shining examples of the kind of leadership our initiative hopes to nurture—monastics who are devoted, courageous, and adaptable, committed to bridging tradition and modernity with clarity, authenticity, and care.