Dr. Alexander Berzin

Dr. Alexander Berzin is a renowned Buddhist scholar and translator whose pioneering work
has played a key role in introducing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Born in New Jersey in 1944,
he earned his PhD from Harvard before spending nearly 30 transformative years in India. His
journey began on a Fulbright scholarship in Dharamsala and continued as a founding member
of the Translation Bureau at the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives.

For nine years, Dr. Berzin served as principal interpreter and secretary to Tsenzhab Serkong
Rinpoche, one of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s closest tutors. During this time, he also
occasionally translated for the Dalai Lama himself, joining him on international tours and
assisting with major humanitarian, medical, and interfaith initiatives at His Holiness’s request.

A lifelong friend of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Berzin was invited to attend exclusive teachings,
including private Kalachakra transmissions—a testament to the deep spiritual trust and bond he
shares with His Holiness. While living as a lay scholar in Dharamsala, he deeply immersed
himself in monastic life, studying and practicing with monks and Geshes from all four main
Tibetan traditions. He also completed several major Gelug meditation retreats.

In 1998, Dr. Berzin returned to the West and, with the Dalai Lama’s encouragement, founded
the Berzin Archives—now known as StudyBuddhism.com. Today, his work continues to inspire
students and scholars around the world, bringing authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings to
practitioners in over 70 countries.