The great strength of Drepung Loseling Monastery is the quality of its great masters. Among Buddhist study centers in the West, we are virtually unique in having multiple teachers in residence throughout the year who hold the qualification of the Geshe degree, the highest degree of learning awarded in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Our visiting teachers are among the most highly respected of the Geluk tradition. The Monastery has also had the rare honor of hosting great master from our tradition including future gadentripa Supreme head of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
A team of great teachers
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Patron
Drepung Loseling Abbot is the ultimate patron of Drepung Loseling Institute of Texas. We have had also the rare honor of hosting His Eminence the SharpaChoeje Rinpoche first visit in Houston, Next Gaden throne holder of Geleupa or Yellow head school of Tibetan Buddhism. We were fortunate to have our new center inaugurated by His Eminence and our Meditation Hall was blessed with his presence. We are looking forward to see His Holiness the Dalai lama will bless us one day.
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Team member
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, the child, then named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn in the world to help humanity. Education in Tibet His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six. The curriculum, derived from the Nalanda tradition, consisted of five major and five minor subjects. The major subjects included logic, fine arts, Sanskrit grammar, and medicine, but the greatest emphasis was given to Buddhist philosophy which was further divided into a further five categories: Prajnaparamita, the perfection of wisdom; Madhyamika, the philosophy of the Middle Way; Vinaya, the canon of monastic discipline; Abidharma, metaphysics; and Pramana, logic, and epistemology. The five minor subjects included poetry, drama, astrology, composition, and synonyms. His Holiness during his final Geshe Lharampa examinations in Lhasa, Tibet which took place from the summer of 1958 to February 1959. At 23, His Holiness sat for his final examination in Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple, during the annual Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo) in 1959. He passed with honors and was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to the highest doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. Leadership Responsibilities In 1950, after China's invasion of Tibet, His Holiness was called upon to assume full political power. In 1954, he went to Beijing and met with Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping and Chou Enlai. Finally, in 1959, following the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa by Chinese troops, His Holiness was forced to escape into exile. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, northern India. Zhou En-Lai, Panchen Lama, Mao Tse-Tung and His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Beijing, China in 1956. (Photo courtesy Tibet Images) In exile, the Central Tibetan Administration led by His Holiness appealed to the United Nations to consider the question of Tibet. The General Assembly adopted three resolutions on Tibet in 1959, 1961 and 1965. Democratization Process In 1963, His Holiness presented a draft democratic constitution for Tibet, followed by a number of reforms to democratize the Tibetan administration. The new democratic constitution was named "The Charter of Tibetans in Exile". The charter enshrines freedom of speech, belief, assembly, and movement. It also provides detailed guidelines on the functioning of the Tibetan Administration with respect to Tibetans living in exile. In 1992, the Central Tibetan Administration published guidelines for the constitution of a future, free Tibet. It proposed that when Tibet becomes free the first task will be to set up an interim government whose immediate responsibility will be to elect a constitutional assembly to frame and adopt a democratic constitution for Tibet. His Holiness has made clear his hopes that a future Tibet, comprising the three traditional provinces of U-Tsang, Amdo, and Kham, will be federal and democratic. In May 1990, as a result of His Holiness’s reforms the Tibetan administration in exile was fully democratized. The Tibetan Cabinet (Kashag), which until then had been appointed by His Holiness, was dissolved along with the Tenth Assembly of the Tibetan People's Deputies (the Tibetan parliament in exile). In the same year, exiled Tibetans living in India and more than 33 other countries elected 46 members to an expanded Eleventh Tibetan Assembly on a one-person-one-vote basis. That Assembly then elected the members of a new cabinet. In September 2001, in a further step towards democratization, the Tibetan electorate directly elected the Kalon Tripa, the Chairman of the Cabinet. The Kalon Tripa appointed his own cabinet who then had to be approved by the Tibetan Assembly. This was the first time in Tibet's long history, that the people had elected their political leaders. Since the direct election of the Kalon Tripa, the custom by which the Dalai Lamas, through the institution of the Ganden Phodrang, have held temporal as well as spiritual authority in Tibet, has come to an end. Since 2011, when he devolved his political authority to the elected leadership, His Holiness has described himself as retired. Peace Initiatives On 21 September 1987 in an address to members of the United States Congress in Washington, DC, His Holiness proposed a Five-Point Peace Plan for Tibet as the first step towards a peaceful solution of the worsening situation in Tibet. The five points of the plan were as follows: Transformation of the whole of Tibet into a zone of peace. Abandonment of China's population transfer policy that threatens the very existence of the Tibetans as a people. Respect for the Tibetan people's fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms. Restoration and protection of Tibet's natural environment and the abandonment of China's use of Tibet for the production of nuclear weapons and dumping of nuclear waste. Commencement of earnest negotiations on the future status of Tibet and of relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the European Parliament on the Five-Point Peace Plan in Strasbourg, France on June 15, 1988. On 15 June 1988, in an address to members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, His Holiness further elaborated on the last point of the Five-Point Peace Plan. He proposed talks between the Chinese and Tibetans leading to a self-governing democratic political entity for all three provinces of Tibet. This entity would be in association with the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Government would continue to be responsible for Tibet's foreign policy and defense. Universal Recognition His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems. His Holiness has traveled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility, and compassion. He has also authored or co-authored more than 110 books. His Holiness has held discussions with heads of different religions and participated in many events promoting inter-religious harmony and understanding.Since the mid-1980s, His Holiness has engaged in a dialogue with modern scientists, mainly in the fields of psychology, neurobiology, quantum physics and cosmology. This has led to a historic collaboration between Buddhist monks and world-renowned scientists in trying to help individuals achieve peace of mind. It has also resulted in the addition of modern science to the traditional curriculum of Tibetan monastic institutions re-established in exile. Political Retirement On 14 March 2011 His Holiness wrote to the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies (Tibetan Parliament-in-exile) requesting it to relieve him of his temporal authority since according to the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile, he was technically still the head of state. He announced that he was ending the custom by which the Dalai Lamas had wielded spiritual and political authority in Tibet. He intended, he made clear, to resume the status of the first four Dalai Lamas in concerning himself only with spiritual affairs. He confirmed that the democratically elected leadership would assume complete formal responsibility for Tibetan political affairs. The formal office and household of the Dalai Lamas, the Gaden Phodrang, would henceforth only fulfill that function. His Holiness the Dalai Lama making the first official remark on his retirement from political responsibilities during a public teaching at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 19, 2011. On 29 May 2011, His Holiness signed the document formally transferring his temporal authority to the democratically elected leader. In so doing he formally put an end to the 368-year old tradition of the Dalai Lamas functioning as both the spiritual and temporal head of Tibet. The Future As far back as 1969, His Holiness made clear that whether or not a reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should be recognized as a decision for the Tibetan people, the Mongolians and people of the Himalayan regions to make. However, in the absence of clear guidelines, there was a clear risk that, should the concerned public express a strong wish to recognize a future Dalai Lama, vested interests could exploit the situation for political ends. Therefore, on 24 September 2011, clear guidelines for the recognition of the next Dalai Lama were published, leaving no room for doubt or deception. His Holiness has declared that when he is about ninety years old he will consult leading Lamas of Tibet’s Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people with an interest in Tibetan Buddhism, and assess whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue after him. His statement also explored the different ways in which the recognition of a successor could be done. If it is decided that a Fifteenth Dalai Lama should be recognized, responsibility for doing so will rest primarily on the concerned officers of the Dalai Lama’s Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned parties and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with their instruction. His Holiness has stated that he will leave clear written instructions about this. He further warned that apart from a reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including agents of the People’s Republic of China. More from Dalai Lama website: English: https://www.dalailama.com/ Espanol: http://eldalailama.com/
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Rizong Rinpoche
His Holiness the 102nd Ganden Trisur Rinpoche
Born in Ladakh in the early 1930s, Khen Rinpoche Rizong Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned as a child as the reincarnation of the founder of Rizong Hermitage. In the mid-1940s Rinpoche joined Drepung Loseling Monastery in Lhasa for his higher training, remaining until the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959. He then joined His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile community in India. He was appointed by His Holiness as Abbot both of Gyumed Tantric Monastery and of Drepung Loseling, two of the main Gelugpa monasteries. Rinpoche was appointed as the Ganden Tripa, the spiritual head of the Gelugpa lineage, in October 2009. Rinpoche has made the practice of meditation his principal focus in life and has conducted numerous extensive retreats, including a three-year tantric retreat on the Yamantaka mandala in a remote hermitage in Ladakh. He is known for his achievements in practice and scholarship in both the sutra and tantra traditions.
Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin
His Holiness the 103rd Gaden Tri Rinpoche
His Holiness the 103rd Gaden Tripa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche was one of the greatest masters of his generation, His Holiness the Tripa Lobsang Tenzin, former Sharpa Choeje and Ex abbot of Gyuto Tantric Monastery, was appointed Gaden Ripa spiritual head Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism and His Holiness is also former Sharpa Choeje (Dharma Master of the Eastern Peak) by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2003. This prestigious position represents one of the three highest positions of spiritual authority in the Geluk tradition, the largest of the four major lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. As Sharpa Choeje, Rinpoche will ascend to the position of Gaden Tripa, the Supreme Head of the Geluk Lineage at the conclusion of the current Gaden Tripa’s term. And as the 103 rd throne holder, Rinpoche will be the successor to the founder of the Geluk lineage, the great 14 th century master Je Tsongkhapa—widely venerated as an emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. Entirely merit-based, Rinpoche’s preeminent positions of leadership reflect his extraordinary scholarship and a lifetime of spiritual accomplishments. A luminary exemplifying the fruits of profound practice, Rinpoche has spent many years deeply immersed in meditation, including many extended retreats focusing on advanced tantric practices. People around the world have found him deeply inspiring and his teachings and blessings to be a source of solace and healing. Rinpoche was born in Eastern Tibet in 1937 and joined Drepung Loseling Monastery in Lhasa after completing his early education at Tsem. At Drepung Loseling, he studied with many of the greatest masters of the 20th century before following His Holiness the Dalai Lama into exile in 1959 after the invasion of Tibet by the Chinese Communists. Rinpoche’s extraordinary talents were recognized early, and he quickly became an esteemed teacher even before he completed his geshe lharam degree in 1982 (representing the highest level of monastic scholarship). He rose through a succession of important positions, becoming the abbot of Gyuto Tantric Monastery in 1993. Upon completion of his term, he returned to Drepung Loseling where he worked tirelessly to share his vast knowledge of the dharma. Over the years, Rinpoche has taught thousands of students, and since assuming his role as Sharpa Choeje, he has traveled extensively, giving teachings and empowerments internationally. During visits to Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States, Rinpoche has been able to provide spiritual guidance and support to countless people. Presently, Rinpoche is kindly making a two-month tour of the United States at the request of Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta to support the spiritual practice of various communities and to help raise funds to build a new meditation and science center at Drepung Loseling in South India. This construction project is undertaken to advance His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision for a closer collaboration between science and Buddhism in order to benefit humanity. Visit of Second Highest Master of Gelugpa
Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Dorjee
His Eminence the Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche
His Eminence the Sharpa Choeje Jetsun Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche, a former Abbot of Gyuto Tantric Monastery, was born in 1937 in the southwest region of Eastern Tibet. When he was seven years of age he came to Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet and enrolled in Drepung Loseling Monastery to study Buddhist philosophy and there he received novice monk's vows from Gyepa Khensur Rinpoche [the former Abbot of Drepung Loseling monastery]. With several different spiritual guides, such as Sharchoe Tara Rinpoche and the former Abbot of Drepung Loseling Khensur Yeshe Thupten and many other renowned scholars he studied and practiced all the subjects of the monastic curriculum, from Introductory Logic (Du-ra) up to the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñaparamita). In the Drepung Loseling Monastery, he completed his exhaustive studies of textual traditions, with many spiritual teachers such as the former Loseling Abbot Pema Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Gyarong Khensur Rinpoche, and the Great Abbot of Shakur, Nyima Gyaltsen. Then, from the Ganden Throne-holder, the former Ling Rinpoche senior tuture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama he received the full ordinations of a Buddhist monk. In 1969, when he was thirty-three years old, he went to south India. In 1980, he began his Gelug examinations. After two years he took the second-year exam for the Karam degree, after two more years the Lopen (Acharya), and after three, the exam for the Lharam (highest) degree. In all three he finished at the top of his class. With His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the two Holinesses [Ling Rinpoche and Tri-jhang Rinpoche] primarily, and also with many lamas and tulkus of various lineages, he received in their entirety the empowerments, transitions, and deep explanations of Sutra and Tantra. In 1984, in the course of his Lharam studies, he accepted the responsibility of being a spiritual master (Geshe) at the great secret Vajrayana college of Gyuto, at their insistence. In 1993 he accepted the job of Disciplinarian (Geko) and was universally acclaimed for his strict maintenance of the rules and customs of Gyuto Monastery. In 1996 H.H. the Dalai Lama appointed him as the Lama Umzey (Deputy Abbot) of Gyuto Tantric Monastery, followed by another3-years as the Abbot in the lineage, and Venerable Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche accepted as his personal responsibility the Tantric practices and traditions of the lineage. In 2003 and 2005, the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, California and the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery in Minneapolis, MN were fortunate to be able to host Ven. Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche and receive many teachings and blessings from him. He has also taught in University of Virginia, USA and the University of Venice, Italy as a visiting professor. He was the Chief Consultant of the Editorial Board for Translating Lam Rim Chen-mo of Je Tsongkhapa into English at Buddhist Learning Center, New Jersey, USA. He has authored a few books and articles in many journals. Currently His Eminence the Sharchoe Lobsang Dorjee Rinpoche resides in southern India at the Drepung Loseling Monastery and gives regular teachings of Buddhist philosophies to the hundreds of resident monks.
Geshe Lobsang Yeshi
The 81 st Abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery
His Eminence Geshe Lobsang Chedak or Lobsang Yeshi is 81st and current Abbot and spiritual head of Drepung Loseling Monastic University. He was born to Sonam Wangey (father) and Deche Tsomo (mother) at a place close to Gyalthang Sumtsen Ling in Kham, Tibet in the year 1937. At the age of eight, he enrolled in Gyalthang Sumtsen Ling monastery which was founded by the fifth Dalai Lama. He received his novice ordination (Sramanera) from and was named Ngawang Kunchok by Jetsun Ngawang Lobsang Tenzin Gyatso. He learned to write and read and devoted most of his time on memorization and recitation of the prayer text prescribed to the monks. While at the monastery, he complied strictly with the rules and discipline of the monastery. When he reached nineteen years of age, he was overwhelmed with an aspiration to study the five treatises of the Buddhist philosophy, he moved to Lhasa to enroll himself in Drepung Losel Ling Monastery which is well-known as the second Nalanda University. He soon undertook rigorous studies on “Collected Topics”, “Science of Logic”, “Science of Mind” and “Perfection of Wisdom” A few years after the relocation of the monastery to Mundgod, South India where the monastery is now, he, alongside his studies and practice, was elected as an administrator of the monastery in 1977 and carried out the three-year tenure of the assigned responsibility with absolute commitment, dedication, and efficiency.In the year 1985, he enrolled in the Gelug Board Examination for Geshe Lharam Degree. Eventually, in 1990, he had the rare opportunity to appear before His Holiness the Dalai Lama during Kalachakra initiation held at Sarnath, for Geshe Lharam graduation ceremony. Subsequently, he was awarded the coveted degree of Geshe Lharampa, equivalent to a doctorate in Divinity. In the year 1995, he was elected as disciplinarian of the monastery. During his tenure as the disciplinarian, he maintained strict discipline in the monastery which, as a result, attributed to all-round development in the monastery. In 2008, with the direct appointment as the new Lama Zhunglenpa (deputy abbot) by Tokden Tulku, the then abbot of the monastery, he was enthroned in the traditional style. He served in that capacity for about six years From the ten most eligible candidates elected by the general monks of the monastery, for the post of the new abbot of the monastery, His Holiness the Dalai Lama chose him and declared him as the new abbot of Drepung Losel Ling Monastery on 06th October 2013. Since his enthronement as the new abbot of the monastery on 07th December 2013, he has been carrying out the abbot’s responsibility. In short, he is engaged in all kinds of activities that aim to lead the monastery towards the higher level of spiritual growth. He has been strictly following the guidance and instruction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is highly appreciated for his outstanding and impressive service to the monastery for so many years in various capacities. He continues to serve the monastery with unwavering spirit and sincerity. In 2017 His Eminence with Drepung Loseling Delegation and entourage traveled to North America and officially of Drepung Loseling Institute of Texas and gave many dharma teachings and public talks in various city and communities.
Samdhong Rinpoche
His Eminence the Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche
Professor Samdhong Rinpoche was born in Jol, in Eastern Tibet, in 1939. At the age of five, Rinpoche was recognized, by the sublime teachers in the area, as the reincarnation of the fourth Samdhong Rinpoche, with a formal Enthronement Ceremony held at Jol Gadhan Dhechenling Monastery. Two years later, Rinpoche took vows as a monk and started his education, learning the common subjects—grammar, etc.—and spiritual studies into Lamrim (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment), and other texts, at the feet of the great Teacher, Reverend Ngawang Jinpa, and other six teachers. At the age of twelve, Rinpoche entered the great monastic university Drepung, and learned at the feet of five great Teachers, the major scriptures, besides receiving many commentarial teachings. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, along with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, Rinpoche was forced into exile and sought political asylum in India. In the winter of the same year, 1959, at the age of 20, Rinpoche received the full-ordination vows (Bhikṣu), at Bodh Gaya, from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as the Abbot; His Eminence, the Tutor Kyabjey Ling Dorjechang, as the Ceremony Procedure Teacher; Tsenshab Serkong Dorjechang, as the questioner in secrecy; with the presence of His Eminence, the Tutor Kyabjey Trijang Dorjechang, as the Saṅgha congregation. In 1960, Rinpoche was specifically advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to work for the Tibetan Administration, in Dharamshala, where Rinpoche, at the same time, received teachings from His Eminences the two Tutors, and Tehor Kyorpon Rinpoche.
Drakyab Tokden Rinpoche
His Eminence the Drakyab Tokden Rinpoche
Venerable Tokden Rinpoche, one of our most revered scholars, was born on 4th May 1944 at Sisor village in Drgyab district of Kham Province, Tibet. Since he was recognized as the reincarnated Lama from the very childhood, he received basic teachings on Buddhism and Tibetan literature from Gen Rinchen Choedak, one of the main disciples of his own predecessor. In the year 1952, he initiated his long journey towards Lhasa and joined Drepung Loseling Monastery upon his arrival there. He received his novice vow from Ven. Pema Gyaltsen Rinpoche, then abbot of the monastery. Soon, he started his intensive studies and his teachers include legendary scholars like Denma Lochoe Rinpoche, Phara Khensur Gen Pema Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Shakor Gen Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche and so on. He also received complete Sutra and Tantra teachings, oral transmissions and empowerments from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche. Unfortunately, his studies were interrupted as situations in Tibet turned from good to worst overnight. The ever-increasing militants started abusing peaceful monks and high Lamas, monasteries being bombarded and the people are deployed on inhuman works—hither to unheard of in Tibet So, he was compelled into exile to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thousands of fellow Tibetans. He continued his studies as major monasteries including Loseling were re-established in India. Besides his advanced studies, Rinpoche contributed a lot for this monastery with his exemplary works at our Library and School. He was conferred Geshe Degree in 1981. As per His Holiness’s guidance, Tokden Rinpoche spent his times and energy giving teachings and empowerments to the devotees in the Himalayan regions including Spiti and Ladhak. The people developed a deep faith in him and respected him and respected him a lot since they find his teachings very encouraging and helpful. He went back several times to these regions as requested by the people. Rinpoche was appointed for the abbot of Ratoe monastery in Mundgod in the year 1999. His abbotship for five years finished with appreciation from the monks as there were many improvements in studies, education system and discipline. Rinpoche was appointed for the three-years deputy abbot post (Lama Uze) of Gyuto monastery in 2003 and followed by three years as the abbot of the monastery. A grand enthronement ceremony was held at Gyutoe monastery at the foothill of Dharamsala on 21st April 2005. High Tibetan officials including Kalontripa (Prime minister) Samdong Rinpoche, The chief justice of Supreme Court Mr. Lobsang Khedrup, Mr. Lobsang Nyima, the minister of religious affairs, many other current and former members of Tibetan parliament and representatives from Himalayan regions attended the ceremony. As he always does, he completed both terms with great success.
Geshe Yeshi Thabke
Venerable Professor
Prof. Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe Professor Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe was born in Lhokha, Central Tibet and became a monk of Drepung Loseling at the age of 13. He excelled in his studies, and eventually received his Rabjamba Degree in 1958, and later was awarded Geshe Lharam, the highest academic degree offered in the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism at Drepung Monastic University. He served as a lecturer at the School of Buddhist Philosophy, Leh, Ladakh and at Sanskrit University in Sarnath. He is currently a professor of Mool Shastra (Indian Tradition of Buddhist Philosophy) at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, the only Tibetan university in India. Professor Thabkhe is regarded as one of the most eminent scholars of both the Madhyamaka tradition and the Indian Buddhist studies. His monumental works include translation of "The Essence of Good Explanation of Definitive & Interpretable Meanings (Lek-Shey Nying-Po)" by Tsong Kha Pa into Hindi, as well as "A Commentary on the Rice Seedlings (Salistamba) Sutra" by Vasubhandu. He has also facilitated the completion of numerous research works including a complete translation of Lama Tsong-kha-pa's Lam rim chen mo "Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment".
His Eminence Gala Tulku Rinpoche
Founder and Spiritual Director
Gala Rinpoche was born in 1980. At the age of 10 joined the Tibetan Children’s Village School at Dharamsala, India, and completed his high school education from the same school. At the age of sixteen, Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the 7th reincarnation of Gala Tulku, a reincarnated teacher from the Batha Monastery in Kham Dege, Eastern Tibet.
The young Rinpoche was formally enthroned at Drepung Loseling Monastery that same year and started his profound Buddhist studies and practice. He received his novice vow from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Drepung Monastery, and also received his full-ordained vow from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his temple in Dharamsala. He was trained and tutored by the most renowned masters of this age including Rizong Rinpoche Thupten Nyima (current Ganden Throne Holder), His Eminence Denma Lochoe Rinpoche, His Eminence Gungbar Rinpoche and so on. This young Rinpoche pursued his rigorous studies for decades and completed his learning in the Five Main Treatises of Buddhist Studies, which included logic, ethics, and psychology. Rinpoche completed his monastery study in 2009 and got his Geshe degree the same year. Rinpoche also served the Drepung Loseling Monastery in various capacities; he was the editor of DRELOMA (Drepung Loseling Magazine) and the chief member of Loseling New Temple Inaugural Ceremony Preparation Committee. He launched the new Loseling website and created a monastery bio data of the monks. Drepung Loseling Monastery requested Rinpoche to travel to western and Asian countries to teach the Dharma and lead the cultural tours of the Mystical Arts of Tibet. He represented the monastery as spokesperson, group leader, translator and had the opportunity to share Buddhism for western audiences and present a series of lectures and public talks at various universities, museums, festivals, spiritual and community centers. .Rinpoche was one of the former resident teachers and Assistant program director of Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta for 3 years. He has also been one of the teachers at Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp and speaker at events with AtlantaBuddhism.org Currently, Rinpoche resides in Houston Texas and serves as founder and Spiritual Director of Drepung Loseling Institute of Texas.
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