Who is Tenzin in the Epstein files?

In the files, "Tenzin" refers to Tenzin Priyadarshi, a Buddhist monk and founding director of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT. They also had a role at the MIT Media Lab as a Director's Fellow. They appear in 81 emails, nearly all of them messages between Joi Ito and Jeffrey Epstein. In five of them, Tenzin is on the recipient list of the March 2016 "JE and TP" scheduling thread.

Did Tenzin Priyadarshi meet Jeffrey Epstein?

The emails indicate that a meeting was arranged for March 2016 at the MIT Media Lab, and Ito wrote afterward that it was fun watching Epstein and Tenzin talk. Ito later wrote that Tenzin "gets a lot out of these conversations," apparently about conversations among the three. The files show Ito as the go-between and do not contain a direct back-and-forth between Epstein and Tenzin.

Is Tenzin the Dalai Lama?

No. The Dalai Lama's birth name is Tenzin Gyatso, but the emails refer to a different person: a monk who works with the Dalai Lama's institutions and was called a Buddhist monk by Ito. The Dalai Lama is mentioned separately, for example in Ito's remark "Next stop. The Dalai Lama."

Why did Joi Ito mention Tenzin to Epstein?

The emails suggest Ito saw Tenzin as someone for Epstein to meet, partly around an ethics initiative at the Media Lab and its funding. Ito also noted shared acquaintances and described Tenzin as admired by others, including Nicolas Berggruen. The files do not show what came of any funding discussion, and they do not show wrongdoing by Tenzin.

Who is Tenzin in the Epstein files?

In the files, "Tenzin" refers to Tenzin Priyadarshi, a Buddhist monk and founding director of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT. They also had a role at the MIT Media Lab as a Director's Fellow. They appear in 81 emails, nearly all of them messages between Joi Ito and Jeffrey Epstein. In five of them, Tenzin is on the recipient list of the March 2016 "JE and TP" scheduling thread.

Did Tenzin Priyadarshi meet Jeffrey Epstein?

The emails indicate that a meeting was arranged for March 2016 at the MIT Media Lab, and Ito wrote afterward that it was fun watching Epstein and Tenzin talk. Ito later wrote that Tenzin "gets a lot out of these conversations," apparently about conversations among the three. The files show Ito as the go-between and do not contain a direct back-and-forth between Epstein and Tenzin.

Is Tenzin the Dalai Lama?

No. The Dalai Lama's birth name is Tenzin Gyatso, but the emails refer to a different person: a monk who works with the Dalai Lama's institutions and was called a Buddhist monk by Ito. The Dalai Lama is mentioned separately, for example in Ito's remark "Next stop. The Dalai Lama."

Why did Joi Ito mention Tenzin to Epstein?

The emails suggest Ito saw Tenzin as someone for Epstein to meet, partly around an ethics initiative at the Media Lab and its funding. Ito also noted shared acquaintances and described Tenzin as admired by others, including Nicolas Berggruen. The files do not show what came of any funding discussion, and they do not show wrongdoing by Tenzin.

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Tenzin

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Tibetan name reference in Epstein documents, possibly related to Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso)

In the Epstein files, "Tenzin" almost always means Tenzin Priyadarshi, a Buddhist monk and ethics director at MIT. Joi Ito brought them up repeatedly in emails to Jeffrey Epstein, and in March 2016 Ito set up a meeting between the two men. The files do not show a direct relationship beyond that meeting.

All 81 documents are emails, and five of them are direct correspondence. In those five, Tenzin Priyadarshi is a recipient of the March 2016 "JE and TP" thread in which Joi Ito arranges a meeting with Epstein at the MIT Media Lab. Most other mentions are Ito's emails to Epstein that talk about Tenzin: a May 2015 introduction, a September 2016 weekend get-together, and a December 2017 exchange about a donation. Many of the 81 documents are repeated copies of the same few threads, so the count of distinct conversations is much smaller. The name appears only as a first name, so the files alone cannot confirm every instance refers to the same person, though the context points that way.

Key Highlights

•In March 2016, Ito emailed Epstein and Tenzin Priyadarshi under the subject "JE and TP" (with Lesley Groff and Heather deManbay copied). He wrote "Tenzin, lets meet in 245," and Epstein replied "Media lab ok." Scheduling emails mention a 1:30pm meeting with Tenzin in Ito's office.
•On March 17, 2016, Ito wrote to Epstein: "It was fun watching to talk to Tenzin. Next stop. The Dalai Lama."
•In a May 2015 email, Ito told Epstein the first step would be to meet Tenzin, whose student runs the Dalai Lama center and was a Director's Fellow at the Lab starting an "ethics initiative." The talk was about funding and "different types of money for different groups."
•Ito described Tenzin in one email as "(Mother Theresa/Dalai Lama/Buddhist Monk)" and said they would teach an awareness class together. Ito also invited Epstein to a 1pm get-together where Tenzin would be present in September 2016.
•A December 2017 email titled "Education Advance" says "Tenzin said that he couldn't publish a 'thank you' because the donation wasn't big enough." A related thread is titled "Education Advance / MIT press release." The files do not make clear which donation this refers to.
•Other emails show Ito mentioning that Nicolas Berggruen "also seems to like Tenzin" (March 2016) and asking whether Epstein was joining a dinner with Reid, Danny, Tenzin and Larry at Ito's house (April 2016).
•The "Dalai Lama" in these emails refers to a separate figure. The Tenzin discussed is Priyadarshi, not Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

Document Mentions (20 of 81)

EFTA00327667.pdf

EFTA00327667

1 mention

ice if that would work for Jeffrey? On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 12:48 PM, Lesley Groff < > wrote: Hi Heather...thanks for the info on the meeting with Tenzin at 1:30pm. Joi's office will be super. Is that the same Room 245?...and yes, would be great to know how Joi is coming along with a 12pm lunch meeti

EFTA00327686.pdf

EFTA00327686

1 mention

EFTA00327852.pdf

EFTA00327852

1 mention

March 2016 Subject: JE and TP To: Jeffrey Epstein [email protected]>, Tenzin Priyadarshi Cc: Lesley Groff k Heather deManbay OK. Perfect. Tenzin, lets meet in 245. - Joi On Mar 15, 2016, at 11:43 AM, Jeffrey E. leevacation®gmail.com> wrote: Media lab ok On Tuesday, 15 March 2016, Joi Ito c

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EFTA00327864.pdf

EFTA00327864

1 mention

rch 2016 Subject: JE and TP To: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]>, Tenzin Priyadarshi Cc: Lesley Groff <4 k Heather deManbay OK. Perfect. Tenzin, lets meet in 245. - Joi On Mar 15, 2016, at 11:43 AM, jeffrey E. <jeevacation®gmail.com> wrote: Media lab ok On Tuesday, 15 March 2016, Joi Ito

EFTA00698324.pdf

EFTA00698324

1 mention

as it that the 6PM thing might be "endless" but not sure. I don't have to stick around until the end. Let me know what works best for you. > Also, Tenzin (Mother Theresa/Dalai Lama/Buddhist Monk) will be in town. I'm teaching my awareness class with him from 10AM. Would love for you to connect with hi

EFTA00819612.pdf

EFTA00819612

1 mention

From: Joi Ito cal > To: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Date: Sat, 03 Sep 2016 22:16:12 +0000 free at 1. Tenzin will be here. Do you want to come over? Should we invite anyone else? > On Sep 3, 2016, at 4:19 PM, jeffrey E. [email protected]> wrote: > i ca

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EFTA00819623.pdf

EFTA00819623

1 mention

04 Sep 2016 10:30:12 +0000 look forward to it, can you remind me of the address. On Sat, Sep 3, 2016 at 6:16 PM, Joi Ito .1 l> wrote: free at 1. Tenzin will be here. Do you want to come over? Should we invite anyone else? > On Sep 3, 2016, at 4:19 PM, Jeffrey E. leevacation®gmail.com> wrote: > i ca

EFTA00819614.pdf

EFTA00819614

1 mention

0000 great , see you then. any data visualitzation people/? or statistics person. On Sat, Sep 3, 2016 at 6:16 PM, Joi Ito .1 I> wrote: free at 1. Tenzin will be here. Do you want to come over? Should we invite anyone else? > On Sep 3, 2016, at 4:19 PM, jeffrey E. leevacation®gmail.com> wrote: > i ca

EFTA00819629.pdf

EFTA00819629

1 mention

[email protected]> wrote: look forward to it, can you remind me of the address. On Sat, Sep 3, 2016 at 6:16 PM, Joi Ito .1 l> wrote: free at 1. Tenzin will be here. Do you want to come over? Should we invite anyone else? > On Sep 3, 2016, at 4:19 PM, Jeffrey E. leevacation®gmail.com> wrote: > i ca

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EFTA00831683.pdf

EFTA00831683

1 mention

<[email protected]>, Tenzin Priyadarshi Cc: >, Heather deManbay Subject: Re: JE and TP Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:47:57 +0000 OK. Perfect. Tenzin, lets meet in 245. - Joi On Mar 15, 2016, at 11:43 AM, jeffrey E. [email protected]> wrote: Media lab ok On Tuesday, 15 March 2016, Joi Ito <

EFTA00831692.pdf

EFTA00831692

1 mention

ate: Tuesday, 15 March 2016 Subject: JE and TP To: Jeffrey Epstein [email protected]>, Tenzin Priyadarshi , Heather deManbay OK. Perfect. Tenzin, lets meet in 245. - Joi On Mar 15, 2016, at 11:43 AM, Jeffrey E. [email protected]> wrote: Media lab ok On Tuesday, 15 March 2016, Joi Ito <fl wro

EFTA00831754.pdf

EFTA00831754

1 mention

r flight. The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Sent from my iPhone. Typos common. On Mar 15, 2016, at 1:40 PM, ' > wrote: I am around. How about you Tenzin? I could break away during the Minsky reception. Sent from my iPhone On Mar 15, 2016, at 15:32, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote: what is

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EFTA00831747.pdf

EFTA00831747

1 mention

t 1130. jermey, neri, tenzin, anyone you think, marvins deal is at what time? On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 4:40 PM, > wrote: I am around. How about you Tenzin? I could break away during the Minsky reception. Sent from my iPhone On Mar 15, 2016, at 15:32, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote: what is

EFTA00831748.pdf

EFTA00831748

1 mention

EFTA00831750.pdf

EFTA00831750

1 mention

ght. The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Sent from my iPhone. Typos common. On Mar 15, 2016, at 1:40 PM, ' II< > wrote: I am around. How about you Tenzin? I could break away during the Minsky reception. Sent from my iPhone On Mar 15, 2016, at 15:32, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote: what is

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EFTA00857289.pdf

EFTA00857289

1 mention

ave different types of money for different groups. > > >> > On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 9:45 AM, Joi Ito wrote: > > Yes. First step would be to meet Tenzin. His student who runs the Dalai Lama center and is now a Director's Fellow at the Lab and going to start the "ethics initiative" at the Media Lab. W

EFTA00650640.pdf

EFTA00650640

1 mention

s it that the 6PM thing might be "endless" but not sure. I don't have to stick around until the end. Let me know what works best for you. >> Also, Tenzin (Mother Theresa/Dalai Lama/Buddhist Monk) will be in town. I'm teaching my awareness class with him from 10AM. Would love for you to connect with hi

EFTA00662532.pdf

EFTA00662532

1 mention

gmail.com> Cc: Lesley Groff < , Heather deManbay < Priyadarshi <[email protected]> Subject: JE and TP Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:18:06 +0000 , Tenzin At Media Lab OK or somewhere else? - Joi On Mar 15, 2016, at 11:13 AM, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote: yes On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 11:

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EFTA00666201.pdf

EFTA00666201

1 mention

. why not have different types of money for different groups. > On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 9:45 AM, Joi Ito wrote: > Yes. First step would be to meet Tenzin. His student who runs the Dalai Lama center and is now a Director's Fellow at the Lab and going to start the "ethics initiative" at the Media Lab. W

EFTA00327660.pdf

EFTA00327660

1 mention

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Connected Entities(20 of 28)

Jeffrey Epstein