Matthieu Ricard

Biography

Matthieu Ricard is a Nepalese French writer, photographer, and Buddhist monk who grew up among French intellectual circles. He holds a PhD in molecular genetics from the Pasteur Institute and later abandoned his scientific career to practice Tibetan Buddhism, living mainly in the Himalayas. Ricard has been involved in humanitarian work through his non-profit organization Karuna-Shechen and served as interpreter for the 14th Dalai Lama since 1989.