H.E. Khejok Tulku Rinpoche and Ven. Chris Ngawang Yangchen (Roberts)

Founder of the Overcoming Problems System

Overcoming Problems and Meditation Teacher
Senior Yoga Teacher
Yoga Teacher Trainer 
Mindfulness Teacher

Developing and teaching the Overcoming Problems System

In 1992, H.E. Khejok Rinpoche placed Ven. Chris in a unique position, asking her to teach the general public with problems and illness in a traditional Tibetan medical institute. Sadly, Rinpoche passed away in 2013.

Recognition

Ven. Chris has received formal recognition from H.H. Khalkha Rinpoche, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche and H.E. Khejok Rinphoche for the Overcoming Problems Programs as a unique non-faith based form of Buddhism for people with problems from all walks of life.

Environmental, social and cultural issues

Ven. Chris was heavily exposed in the 70’s to the deadly herbicide 245T (Agent Orange), which contains a toxic dioxin.

In Traditional Tibetan Medicine there is a prophecy about environmental degradation and mental health issues causing illness.

As the result of these two factors Ven. Chris is interested in environmental problems and mental health issues and their causes. Therefore some of the courses examine the cause of environmental, social and cultural issues and how they create problems in everyday life.

Working in the community

Ven. Chris has served  on the NSW Cancer Council’s Ethics Committee and was the Buddhist representative on the Women’s Interfaith Network for which she was a founding committee member.

She also ran Overcoming Problems programs for two years in the Ashfield Uniting Church, where Rev. Bill Crews runs the Exodus Foundation that works with disadvantaged and marginalised people.

Ven. Chris Yangchen (Roberts) speaking at the ‘Mind and Its Potential Conference’.

Ven. Chris has made presentations at conferences, both international and in Australia. She has taught within a diverse range of  organisations, including universities, hospitals and community groups to doctors, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, counsellors, and the physically and mentally ill. She has also taught many groups from all the major schools of Buddhism, and within other religious and philosophical organisations.

Townsville and Sydney centres

In 1998, Ven. Chris began to teach the Overcoming Problems courses and in the same year was requested to teach the courses in Townsville, Queensland.

Ven. Chris founded Shambhala Retreat which offers discounted accommodation for the disabled, ill, elderly and the whole family. Shambhala also has a bus available with wheelchair access for the use of guests.