Ven. Khandro Dhyani Ywahoo is the Founder and Spiritual Director of Sunray Meditation Society. She is the 27th generation lineage holder of the ancestral Ywahoo lineage in the Tsalagi / Cherokee tradition. She is unique as a teacher, carrying three intact streams of ancient spiritual wisdom — Tsalagi as well as Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
She is the Chief of the Green Mountain Band of the Ani Yun Wi Wa. The Green Mountain Ani Yun Wi Wa band is comprised of Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, her relatives, and other individuals who are descended from Cherokee family lines who moved to Vermont in the 1980s. The Green Mountain Ani Yun Wi Wa seek no state or federal recognition. They share their thoughts and ceremonies with people of like mind and choose to pass along the teachings that were passed by their Ywahoo ancestors.
In 1983, Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo was empowered to teach the dharma through the kindness of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje and Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. In 1986, Venerable Dhyani was empowered by the Drikung Kagyu lineage, through His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang and Ven. Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche. HH Dudjom Rinpoche bestowed the title Khandro, traditionally given to female masters, and she was given the name Pema Sangdzin Khandro.