Judith Simmer-Brown 

Distinguished Professor of Contemplative and Religious Studies

Naropa University

Judith Simmer-Brown is a founding faculty member of Naropa University, where she teaches Buddhist scripture, ethics and philosophy, and interreligious dialogue.  She is an Acharya (senior dharma teacher) of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage of Sakyong Mipham, Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche.  Her academic specialties are Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, women and Buddhism, contemplative education, and Buddhist-Christian dialogue.  She authored Dakini’s Warm Breath:  The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism, 2001, and is co-author of Benedict’s Dharma:  Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of St. Benedict, 2001.  A longtime member of the Society and its Board, she has published many journal articles on Buddhist-Christian studies and dialogue.  She also serves on the Advisory Board of Dilitato Corde:  Journal of Interreligious Dialogue Experience, and is an advisor to Monastic Interreligious Dialogue.