Why
AUTHENTIC SOURCING
Tibetan and Himalayan traditions.
MEANINGFUL SUPPORT
and meaningful Dharma projects.
USA SHIPPING
across the United States.
MINDFUL LIVING
ritual and peaceful spaces.
Our Root Teacher and International Sangha
At the heart of Tibetan Spirit is Dorjé Lopön Dr. Hun Lye (Konchok Yedor) — spiritual teacher, scholar, and lineage holder in the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Born in Malaysia and trained under some of the most respected masters of the Tibetan Buddhist world, Dorlop Dr. Lye was bestowed the title of Dorjé Lopön (Vajra Master) by H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang in 2013, acknowledging his deep realization and lifelong service to the Dharma.
As founder of Urban Dharma North Carolina, a city temple rooted in ancient tradition yet adapted to the modern world, Dorlop Dr. Lye has spent decades making the path of awakening accessible for Western students. His work spans scholarship (Ph.D. in Religious Studies), translation, ritual, and deep personal instruction.
Through the Drikung Dharmakirti International Sangha (DDIS), Dorlop Dr. Lye leads a vibrant, growing international community dedicated to preserving the integrity of Vajrayana practice while meeting the needs of a changing world.
Urban Dharma
Urban Dharma North Carolina, located in downtown Asheville, is our temple and community hub. Founded by Dorlop Rinpoché, Dr. Hun Lye, it’s a place for people of all backgrounds to encounter authentic Dharma — through teachings, rituals, recovery circles, and community practice. While programs and activities at Urban Dharma represent several regional/cultural forms of Buddhism, many of the core members practice the Dharma according to the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Dr. Lye was enthroned as a "dorjé lopön" in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage in 2012.
Whether you’re joining a puja in person or tuning in from afar, Urban Dharma is where we gather as a community of practitioners, both new and old, in support of each other.
Drikung Dharmakirti Translation Project
Established in February 2020, the Drikung Dharmakirti Translation Team emerged from the heartfelt encouragement of the Most Venerable Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen Rinpoche. Initiated by Dorjé Lopön Dr. Hun Lye, our mission is to translate and share essential teachings from Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön’s Collected Works (bka' bum).
While numerous important Drikung Kagyu texts have been translated into various languages, remarkably few capture the direct words of our lineage’s founder, Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön. To bridge this gap, Khenchen Rinpoche identified ten short yet profound teachings, marking the beginning of our ongoing translation effort.
By translating Kyobpa Rinpoche's original teachings into English, we aim to deepen our community’s connection with the authentic wisdom of the early Kagyu lineage masters. These masters were exemplary realized beings whose teachings continue to guide practitioners toward awakening. We hope these translations will inspire English-speaking Drikung practitioners worldwide, encouraging them to seek oral instructions.
Our Vision and Projects
We believe that for Tibetan Buddhism to flourish in the West, it must grow roots in both urban centers and forest hermitages—in the lives of beginners and long-term practitioners alike.
Forest Hermitage (Coming Soon)
Urban Dharma NC – A City Temple for All
Our Sangha – Local & Global
Serving the Community
Tibetan Spirit Journal
A quarterly online publication, featuring writings by our teachers and contributors: you’ll find articles by Dorjé Lopön Dr. Hun Lye, Mariana Restrepo, and others. Sign up for our newsletter to get a little dharma in your mailbox every month.
