Ryan Connolly graduated from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware with a BS in Management in 1996. He began his study and practice of Buddhist philosophy in 1995. In 2010 he had the good fortune to attend a teaching by Tulku Sherab Dorje at Garrison Institute. Soon after he requested teachings and began the preliminary practices. He has remained a student since then and has participated in a variety of programs. He was blessed to be able to go to Thubten Chokhor Ling Monastery in Golok in 2013 & 2017 and be hosted by Hunkar Dorje. He has participated in organizing numerous programs for Blazing Wisdom Institute including the annual Rimay Monlam. He worked in construction throughout his younger years, and in 2013 began working with people with developmental disabilities.