Mark Webber

Mark Webber was born in Toronto in 1956. Mark has been studying and teaching Dharma (the Teachings of Liberation) and meditation for twenty-five years. He met his teacher Ven. Namgyal Rinpoché in 1974 and traveled and studied with him intensively for over 10 years. He was first requested by Rinpoché to teach Abhidharma (abhi - means "higher", Dharma - means "teachings of Liberation" or the "science of Awakening") in 1975. He was ordained by Namgyal Rinpoché in 1976 and now holds a lay ordination. He has done extensive retreats and periods of study in both Buddhism and Western arts and sciences. He has studied with many outstanding teachers, including H.H. the 16th Karmapa, both of Eastern and Western traditions. Mark was also a resident teacher at the Academy, a Seminary at the Dharma Centre of Canada, Kinmount, Ontario.

His background includes research in molecular biology and chemistry and formal training in the fine arts and crafts. He holds a Masters degree in anthropology; the subject of his work was in the relationship between symbols, meditational systems and neuro-physiology. Mark is also a professional gemstone cutter and sculptor. In 1986 he became an Economic Planner for the Government of the Northwest Territories. For seven years he was the Coordinator of the Fine Arts and Crafts Programs at Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit, Nunavut (Eastern Arctic), Canada. For the last two years he has resided in B.C., teaching Dharma, leading meditation retreats, gardening and cutting gems, and employed as the Executive Director of the Kootenay School of the Arts.

Mark Webber is based in Rossland BC, Canada (for more information see www.markwebber.org).