Khandro

Khandro is a term used in Tibetan Buddhism that translates roughly as “dakini” or “sky-goer.” In Vajrayana practice, a dakini is a female embodiment of enlightened wisdom and dynamic spiritual energy. The word Khandro functions both as a gendered honorific for respected female teachers and practitioners and as a component in personal names. As an honorific, it signals recognition of wisdom, realization, or lineage authority, rather than implying a formal rank.

Usage and context vary across lineages. Khandro appears in multiple Tibetan Buddhist traditions, including the Nyingma and Kagyu schools, and can be found in the spiritual names of women who are recognized as teachers, translators, or reincarnate lamas. Because it is used as both a title and a name element, its exact sense can differ depending on lineage, context, and the preferences of the teacher or community involved.

Culturally, the use of Khandro reflects a broader reverence within Tibetan Buddhism for feminine wisdom and for the role of dakinis as catalysts for awakening. As with many spiritual titles, its meaning is nuanced and linked to specific spiritual lineages and practices, rather than representing a universal or uniform designation.

See also: Dakini; Tibetan Buddhism; Rinpoche; Lama.