Kali Cape

Dr. Kali Nyima Cape is a historian of religions specializing in Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, and histories of contemplative literature. In particular, her research highlights the missing history of women in esoteric Buddhism and the evolution of contemplative practices and communities in Tibetan Great Perfection (rdzogs chen). This research shows how mythological narratives and contemplative curriculums shaped communities outside the monasteries. Her current book project, Women in Dzogchen, reveals how innovations in mythology were central to redefining women’s roles as consorts, disciples, and teachers in fourteenth century Tibet. Dr. Cape’s work bridges traditional philological methods with post-colonial and decolonial approaches, demonstrating how mythological literature informs issues of identity and collective transformation. She received her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Her research has been supported by the Ford Foundation, Tsadra Foundation, and Fulbright-Hays Fellowship. It has been featured at leading academic conferences and workshops including the American Academy of Religions, the Religion and Sex Abuse Project, the Dzogchen and Tibetan Modernity Conference at Rice University, the International Association of Buddhist Studies, the International Association of Young Tibetologists and many others. This research has been published in academic journals including Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines and the Journal of Dharma Studies. Dr. Cape also serves as a member of the Generative Contemplation Initiative, a group of professors, teachers, and tech innovators addressing critical issues in the past and future of meditation. In the classroom, her emphasis in autoethnography and contemplative pedagogy exemplifies Pacifica’s commitment to bridging academic development with both personal and collective transformation.