In 1982, His Holiness Sakya Trizin sent Khenpo Pema as first the younger generation of Tibetan teachers to America. In 1989, Lama Pema founded the Vikramasila Foundation, which includes the Palden Sakya Center in New York City, and other centers in Woodstock, NY, Philmont, New York, Cresskill, NJ, Jamaica, VT, and Dayton OH. The Palden Sakya centers offer courses in Tibetan Buddhist studies and meditation.Khenpo Pema is the creator of "Bur Yig" -Tibetan Braille, and founder of several schools in India and USA.

His Holiness Khenpo Pema awarded him the title of "Khenpo" in 2007. For his humanitarian work he was awarded the "Ellis Island Medal of Honor". Khenpo Pema has been teaching 29 years, students in the west and travels to Dharma centers worldwide. His great knowledge of the English language, his familiarity with Western culture, combined with wisdom and compassion, make him an outstanding role model and teacher in the world today.