Maite Castellano Mentxaka

Maite completed a two-year intensive Tibetan language program at Thosamling in Dharamsala (2006–2007), studying colloquial and classical Tibetan, Buddhist philosophy, and debate. She further deepened her training through the Winter Philosophy Program at Pullahari Monastery in Nepal (2008).

She later entered retreat at Dag Shang Kagyu, completing a six-month preliminary retreat followed by the traditional three-year retreat, during which she served as an interpreter and translator (2009–2013). At the request of her teachers, she subsequently became the principal translator for the three-year retreat, continuing in this role for an additional four years (2013–2017).

To complement her practical experience with academic training, she studied at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, earning a BA in Buddhist Studies and Himalayan Languages and an MA in Translation, Textual Interpretation, and Philology (2017–2025).