Frances McDonald

Frances McDonald

Frances McDonald

  • CommunicationsManaging Editor

Frances joined Khyentse Foundation’s Communications Team as English editor and writer in 2022 and now serves as managing editor. As well as overseeing the publication schedule and managing workflows, she writes and edits most of the team’s English-language articles and announcements, and coordinates and edits the annual report. She also checks translations from Chinese to English and maintains the team’s editorial style guide.

Frances has a BA in Language from the University of York and an MA in Archaeology (Buddhist Art of Dunhuang; Aspects of Buddhism; and Chinese Ceramics) from SOAS University of London. Her first editorial role was for New World Press in Beijing. She has since served as managing editor of the Buddhistdoor Global website and the Asian art magazine Orientations, both based in Hong Kong. She has also edited Chinese art exhibition catalogues for the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Art Museum, as well as for private collectors.

I first met the dharma in 1982 and began a regular practice after encountering the Nyingma tradition in 1998. As well as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, my teachers have included Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche. I was fortunate to complete a 3-year retreat under Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s guidance in 2012.