Mahayogi Shridhar S.J.B. Rana Rinpoche, known as Guru Ratnashri (Rinpoche in Sanksrit/Nepali) to his devoted students, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1949, the oldest child of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Nara Narayan Shumsher and the grandson of Maharaja Padma S.J.B. Rana. His mother, Shanti Rana, is the daughter of the humanitarian Raja of Bajhang, Raja Jaya Prithvi Bdr. Singh. From his early years, Guru Ratnashri showed an inclination towards spirituality and was kind and compassionate to those less fortunate. Soon after graduating from St. Xavier's High School, a Jesuit run boarding school in Kathmandu, he started his spiritual pursuits in earnest. He initially explored Hindu Tantra under the guidance of Dhana Shamsher, his grand uncle. However, since some of his fundamental questions regarding life and enlightenment remained unanswered even after nine years of intense practice, he took up Vedantic practices under the famous 140 yr. old Khaptad Baba. Having seriously investigated and practiced all Hindu approaches available in Nepal, and still lacking fulfillment, he started seeking answers in the Buddha Dharma.

He began with Zen practices under Roshi Nanrei Kobori, Abbot of Ryoko-in of the world renowned Daitokuji of Kyoto and the Korean Master Seung Sahn through Zen Master Wu Bong (Jacob Perl). Given the difficulty of communicating with his Zen teachers from Nepal he sought qualified Buddhist masters within Nepal among the Tibetan Buddhists. He met his teacher, Venerable Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche in 1987. While still alive, Venerable Urgyen Rinpoche, who was a root teacher of the Sixteenth Karmapa, was considered by many to be one of the greatest contemporary Dzogchen masters. Venerable Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's instructions immediately brought immense peace to Guru Ratnashri.

As instructed by Tulku Urgyen Ripoche, Guru Ratnashri then received numerous wangs (initiations) and practice instructions from various masters. He received the entire Lobshe Lamdre and a large part of the Gyude Kuntu from H.E. Chobgay Trichen Rinpoche, one of most widely respected masters of the Sakya Lineage and a tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama; the entire Tsog She Lamdre from H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche; the entire Rinchen Terzo from H.H. Penor Rinpoche; the entire NyingThig from the Very Venerable Urgyen Tulku Rinpoche; the entire Chokling Tersar from Chokling Rinpoche; the Dam Ngak Dzo from Thrangu Rinpoche; the entire DrubThab Kuntu from H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche; the entire Khandro ThugThig and specially its Lung etc. from Khentin Rinpoche of Dolpo and many other Lung-s, Wang-s and Tri-s from Urgyen Tulku Rinpoche, the Venerable Karma Thinley Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche, Pawo Rinpoche, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and the Newar Vajracharyas of Kathmandu. He also received the entire Lung for the Gyu Bum (the entire Nyingma Tantra from) Lobpon Gyurme of Nubri.

From April of 1996, Guru Ratnashri entered a 6 1/2 years retreat under the guidance of H.E. Chobgay Trichen Rinpoche and H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche and has been practicing various dimensions of Buddhist practices and methods. After completion of the 6 1/2 years, with the advice from H.E. Chobgay Trichen Rinpoche, he extended his retreat to another 6 1/2 years.

Guru Ratnashri was conferred the title of 'Acharya' by Venerable Karma Thinley Rinpoche in 1994 and was authorized to teach all aspects of the Buddha Dharma as a 'lineage master' by the Venerable Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, H.H. Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, H.E. Chobgay Trichen Rincpohe, and Khentin Rinpoche of Dolpo, Nepal. Since then, he has become well known by the name of Acharya Dharma Vajra, Dharma Vajra being his refuge name.

In 2006, upon the completion of the tenth year of his retreat, H.E. Chobgay Trichen Rincpohe bestowed Guru Ratnashri with the precious title 'Mahayogi' written before his name and 'Rinpoche' written after.

Besides the Vajrayana tradition of Tibet and Nepal, Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche is a scholar of C'han and Zen Buddhism, Jodo Shinshu, Theravada tradition and the Abhidharma of Mahayana, Vaibhashika and Theravada and has keen interest in both Zen and Theravada traditions. Even as a child Guru Ratnashri was inclined to teach and share with others whatever he knew or found interesting, and although he is under a tight daily practice schedule in retreat, he finds time to write his teachings on the Buddhist view entitled 'Bodhipushpanjali'. These teaching are read out monthly to a growing sangha of students. Guru Ratnashri also guides his students through the uncommon meditation practice steps call "Matiparivartana Kram" (mind changing series) as a preparation towards full-fledged Vajrayana practice. While his Hindu background facilitates his teachings and interactions in Nepal, his wide knowledge of western philosophy and psychology makes his style also especially suited for modern sangha members. Please visit the Teachings section to learn about Bodhipushpanjalis and other teachings by Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche.

Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche's aim is to bring all aspects of the Buddha Dharma to those interested in studying and practicing. The Byoma Kusuma Buddhadharma Sangha has been established to accomplish this aim. The Sangha organizes regular activities like the dissemination of the now famous Boshipushpanjalis, Guru Ratnashri's monthly teachings, and the Matiparivartana Kram. Various wangs (initiations) and pujas are also organized on a regular basis, as well as translation and building projects. Please view the information provided in the Home page for more Sangha activities and the Support page for information on ongoing projects.