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Khenpo Sherab Sangpo began his studies in Tibet with the famed master Petsé Rinpoche, with whom he studied for over twenty years. He became a monk at the age of seven at Gyalwa Phukhang Monastery, a branch of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s Sechen Monastery. Under Petsé Rinpoche's guidance, he first studied Tibetan Buddhist ritual, eventually becoming one of the monastery's ritual leaders and chant masters. Even at a young age, he was renowned for his ability to memorize the vast number of texts used at the monastery and his command of Tibetan Buddhist ritual.
[Presently,] Khenpo Sherab Sangpo is the Spiritual Director of Bodhicitta Sangha, Heart of Enlightenment Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khenpo_Sherab_Sangpo Source Accessed Oct 7, 2020])
For a complete biography [https://www.bodhicittasangha.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Biography-of-Khenpo-Sherab-Sangpo.pdf click here] +
Khenpo Shonri (Shonu Dondrup, gzhon nu don grub, 1938-2015) of Juniong Monastery was a disciple of Khenpo Thubga (Khenpo Thubten Chophel) and a custodian of many of Lama Mipham Rinpoche's and Patrul Rinpoche's relics. (Source: Enlightened Vagabond) +
After being ordained at Larung Gar Serthar Buddhist Institute in 1985, Khenpo Sodargye relied on Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche as his root guru.
After intensive study of the five principle treatises on Madhyamaka, Prajnaparamita, Abhidharma, Vinaya, and Buddhist logic, Khenpo received direct transmissions of tantric teachings such as the Dzogchen, Kalachakra, and the Web of Magical Illusion from Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and gained unshakable faith in the Omniscient Longchenpa and Mipham Rinpoche. Through his practice, he obtained supreme realization of these teachings.
After engaging in classic Tibetan Buddhist debate and undergoing oral and written examination, he obtained his khenpo degree. Khenpo Sodargye was then placed in charge of the institute by Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and became Kyabje’s chief translator for Chinese disciples. +
Sonam Phuntsho is one of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's senior monks. He studied classical Buddhist philosophy at Dzongsar Institute for nine years, and he received his Khenpo degree from Rinpoche in 2013. He has also completed a traditional 3-year meditation retreat in Bhutan. He has worked on many translation projects under Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, including the Vimai Ladrub sadhana with Steve Cline as well as being on the translation team for the Chime Phagme Nyingthik sadhana. He also translated the Ushnishavijaya sadhana text into English with Janine Schulz and he was involved in the translation of Khyentse Chokyi Lodro's biography by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche; the English version is projected to come out next year. Khenpo currently resides in New Delhi. ([https://www.siddharthasintent.org/about-us-2/news/2014-2/khenpo-sonam-phuntsho-to-be-lama-in-residence-around-the-globe-2014-2015/ Source Accessed Oct 5, 2021]) +
Khenpo Sonam Tsewang is a khenpo at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the advanced center of philosophical study at Namdroling Monastery, Bylakkuppe. He has completed and graduated his studies in Buddhism from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi and also from Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, Namdroling. He was enthroned as a Khenpo at Namdroling Monastery in 2011 by His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche. Khenpo will be providing expert advice for the project on complex translation points, especially for texts from the Nyingma tradition.
Khenpo has been serving Namdroling Monastery for numerous years. He served in the Rigzod Editorial Committee as an editor and translator for over 7 years. Subsequently he founded the Padma Mani Translation Committee of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute with the guidance of Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche where Khenpo Sonam taught translation, administered and supervised for 6 years. He was also one of the founding members of Ngagyur Nyingma Research Centre (NNRC) and worked for the committee for 5 years. Beside this, he has represented Namdroling Monastery in various platforms such as national and international seminars and conferences for Buddhism. Presently he was a lecturer on Mahayana at Abiding Heart Education, Nepal.
Khenpo had also served for the late His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and Namdroling monastery’s most senior khenpo, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche to translate their teachings from Tibetan to English in order for the non-Tibetan speakers to understand the teachings. He has translated and published English books including How to Follow a Spiritual Master, The All-Pervading Melodious Sound of Thunder: The Outer Liberation Story of Terton Migyur Dorje, Drops of Nectar, and Lamp on the Path. He also travels extensively with his teacher Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, for teaching tours mainly in Europe and Asia during which he has the privilege to receive countless precious and sacred teachings and empowerments from Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche. He also receives personal guidance and spiritual instructions from him. (Source: [https://www.khyentsevision.org/team/khenpo-sonam-tsewang/ Khyentse Vision])
Khenpo Könchog Tamphel was born in 1975 in Ladakh. At the age of nine, he became a novice at Lamayuru Monastery, where he received a basic Dharma education for several years. There he also studied and practiced some of the Drikung Kagyü rituals. In 1987 he joined the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Dehra Dun, India for advanced Buddhist studies. There he spent nine years studying the twelve main commentaries of the Masters of Nalanda and the Drikung Kagyu treatises such as the Gong Chig, 'The Heart of the Mahayana Sutras', etc., under the skillful guidance of Khenpo Togdol Rinpoche, Khenpo Könchog Mönlam, Khenpo Könchog Tashi, and Khenchen Könchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche. After completing his studies in 1996, he traveled to Europe and Southeast Asia as a translator for SH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang. He also taught at Drikung Kagyü Centers in Malaysia, Singapore, North America, Estonia, and Latvia.
In the meantime, he took part in a one-year translation course English-Tibetan in Dharamsala and then spent a year studying works by Maitreya at the Dzongsar Institute. For several years he was the resident Khenpo in the Songtsen Library in Dehra Dun. In addition to his teachings in the library, he has translated some rare Drikung Kagyü texts into English and has published some English-language books. Since 2015 he lives in Vienna and works at the University of Vienna. Incidentally, he continues to translate texts from Tibetan into English. ([https://drikung.de/die-drikung-kagyue-linie/biographien/khenpo-koenchog-tamphel/ Source Accessed Sept 23, 2020]) +
He was born in Adrong in the Gojo region of Kham and became a monk at young age at Goego Monastery, where he studied prayers and rituals. In 2004, he arrived in South India via Nepal and joined Namdrolling Monastery, where he began his study in grammar and language. In 2005, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and finished the nine-year program of study in general sciences and sūtra and tantric forms of Buddhism. Since the eighth grade, he served as assistant lecturer and manager of the summer retreat. He finished his education in 2015 and served as lecturer for eight years until 2022 and also as the treasurer for the Institute. He was conferred the title of Khenpo in 2023 by Karma Kuchen Rinpoche during the enthronement of the 8th cohort of Khenpos in Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. Currently, he is teaching at Tshogyal Shedrupling Nunnery. +
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche was born in Bhutan in 1965. He became a senior colleague at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the prestigious Buddhist studies and research center, at Namdroling Monastery in Mysore. At the Institute he studied under Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenpo Namdrol Tsering, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, and other visiting professors, including Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok and Khenpo Pema Tsewang from Tibet. He completed the Shedra program in 1995 and joined the Institute staff, teaching there for three years. He was formally enthroned as Khenpo by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in 1998 and was assigned by His Holiness to teach at the Buddhist college at Palyul monastery in Tibet. He is now the main resident master at [http://www.palyulnyc.org/npdc/ Palyul Dharma Center] in the New York City metropolitan area.
Official Bio from Palyul Dharma Center:
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche was born in the Tashigang District of Bhutan in 1965. After completing Jigme Sherubling High School in 1986, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the prestigious Buddhist studies and research center, at Namdroling Monastery in Mysore. At the Institute he studied under Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenpo Namdrol Tsering and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and other visiting professors, including Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok and Khenpo Pema Tsewang from Tibet.
He completed the Shedra program at the Institute in 1995 and joined the Institute staff, teaching there for three years. He was formally enthroned as Khenpo by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in 1998 and was assigned by His Holiness to teach at the Buddhist college at Palyul monastery in Tibet.
He has received all the major empowerments of the Rinchen Terzod, Nam Cho, Nyingthik Yabshi and Nyingma Kama from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche as well as the Mipham Kabum from His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Because of his knowledge and experience, and fluent command of the English language, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has assigned him to teach students in the United States in conjunction with the ongoing teaching programs offered by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche.([http://www.palyulnyc.org/npdc/about/our-teachers/venerable-khenpo-tenzin-norgay-rinpoche/ Source Accessed April 18, 2022])
Khenpo Tsering Gonpo (mkhan po tshe ring mgon po, b. ca. 1970) graduated from Larung Gar Philosophical College as a disciple of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. He currently resides at Dzagyal Trama Lung hermitages in Upper Dzachukha. (Source: Enlightened Vagabond) +
Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche was born in the Dhoshul region of Kham in eastern Tibet on June 10, 1950. On that summer day in the family tent, Rinpoche’s birth caused his mother no pain. The next day, his mother, Pema Lhadze, moved the bed where she had given birth. Beneath it she found growing a beautiful and fragrant flower which she plucked and offered to Chenrezig on the family altar.
Soon after his birth three head lamas from Jadchag monastery came to his home and recognized him as the reincarnation of Khenpo Sherab Khyentse. Khenpo Sherab Khyentse, who had been the former head abbot lama at Gochen Monastery, was a renowned scholar and practitioner who lived much of his life in retreat.
Rinpoche’s first dharma teacher was his father, Lama Chimed Namgyal Rinpoche. Beginning his schooling at the age of five, he entered Gochen Monastery. His studies were interrupted by the Chinese invasion and his family's escape to India. In India his father and brother continued his education until he entered the Nyingmapa Monastic School of Northern India, where he studied until 1967.
He then entered the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, which was then a part of Sanskrit University in Varanasi, where he received his B.A. degree in 1975. He also attended Nyingmapa University in West Bengal, where he received another B.A. and an M.A. in 1977.
In 1978 Rinpoche was enthroned as the abbot of the Wish-fulfilling Nyingmapa Institute in Boudanath, Nepal by [[H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche]], and later became the abbot of the Department of Dharma Studies, where he taught poetry, grammar, philosophy and psychology. In 1981, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche appointed Rinpoche as the abbot of the Dorje Nyingpo Center in Paris, France. In 1982 he was asked to work with H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche at the Yeshe Nyingpo Center in New York. During the 1980s, until H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche’s mahaparinirvana in 1987, Rinpoche continued working closely with him, often traveling as his translator and attendant.
In 1988, Rinpoche and his brother founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center. Since that time he has served as a spiritual director at the various Padmasambhava centers throughout the world. He maintains an active traveling and teaching schedule with his brother, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche.
Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche has authored two books of poetry on the life of Guru Rinpoche, including ''Praise to the Lotus Born: A Verse Garland of Waves of Devotion'', and a unique two-volume cultural and religious history of Tibet entitled ''The Six Sublime Pillars of the Nyingma School'', which details the historical bases of the dharma in Tibet from the sixth through ninth centuries. At present, this is one of the only books written that conveys the dharma activities of this historical period in such depth. Khenpo Rinpoche has also co-authored a number of books in English on dharma subjects with his brother Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, including ''Ceaseless Echoes of the Great Silence: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra''; ''Prajnaparamita: The Six Perfections''; ''Door to Inconceivable Wisdom and Compassion''; ''Lion's Gaze: A Commentary on the Tsig Sum Nedek''; and ''Opening Our Primordial Nature''. ([http://www.padmasambhava.org/teach/longkhenpo.html Source Accessed Jan 29, 2015])
Khenpo Tshewang Sonam is the Lama of Tharpaling Monastery, the most well-known center founded by Longchenpa in Bhutan. Prior to becoming the Lama of Tharpaling, he spent many years as a hermit in the mountains of Bhutan while also giving mass teachings on Amitabha and Sukhavati practice in many parts of Bhutan. At the turn of the century, he served as the head of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in Namdrolling, Mysore, India and as the head of Palyul Shedra, Sichuan in Tibet after he finished his Khenpo degree in Namdrolling in 1998. Khenpo Tshewang received his early education under Wangthang Rinpoche Yeshi Dorji, Lama Gyalwang Nyima, and Lopen Norbu Wangchuk before he moved to study in Namdrolling in Mysore. Since then, he trained under His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo in India and Bhutan, and Khenpo Achoe and Trulku Thubzang in Tibet, receiving oral teachings on Dzogchen. He is the author of commentaries on ''Madhyamakāvatāra'' and ''Abhisamayālaṇkāra'' and many other minor writings. (Source: Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho) +
Born in Ura village, Bumthang, Bhutan, he joined Wangthang Temple as young boy to learn prayers and rituals in the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions under Wangthang Rinpoche Yeshi Dorje. He also learned language and grammar under Lama Gyalwang Nyima and astrology under Lopen Norbu Wangchuk. He joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in Mysore and completed his education in 1996 while he also received training in meditation from Nyoshul Khenpo, Khenpo Akhyug, and Tulku Thubzang. In 1988, he served as a teacher at Tsangkha Monastic College, and from 1997, at the behest of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, he served as chief lecturer at Palyul Chokhorling in North India, Palyul Monastery in Tibet, and Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in Mysore. He also taught a large public gathering in Bhutan and regularly gave teachings on national TV on a wide range of topics. After spending three years in retreat in solitude, he currently serves as the head of Tharpaling Monastery and has authored commentaries on ''Entering the Middle Way'', ''Ornament of Realization'', and many other works. +
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso is a noted scholar and teacher who was born in Eastern Tibet in 1935. After completing this early training, he spent five years wandering throughout Eastern and Central Tibet undertaking extensive solitary retreats in caves. When he reached Tsurphu Monastery, he received instruction from the head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, the 16th Karmapa, who later named him a khenpo, which is a title of scholastic mastery. In 1977 he came to the West to teach Tibetan language and Buddhism. Known for his highly engaging teaching style, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso has been traveling and teaching in the West ever since, placing an emphasis on the careful training of Westerners. Some of his students include [[Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche]], [[Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen]], [[Shenpen Hookham|Lama Shenpen Hookham]], [[Karl Brunnhölzl]], and [[Elizabeth Callahan]]. ([http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0661/2002152104-b.html Source Accessed July, 21 2020])
Visit his official site at [http://www.ktgrinpoche.org/ ktgrinpoche.org] +
Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Lodrö is a renowned contemporary Nyingma teacher of Tibetan Buddhism based at Larung Gar (formally known as the Serthar Larung Five Sciences Buddhist Institute), where he serves as a standing Vice Principal. He is a native of Draggo (Ch: Luhuo) County in Sichuan Province. He is an influential public intellectual. Read more [https://www.luminouswisdom.org/index.php/biography/biography-2 here]. +
Born in Serta in Kham in 1984, he started learning Tibetan language at the age of nine. From the age of 15, he studied at Jamyangling Academy for three years. In 2005, he arrived in India and got the opportunity to see both H.H. the Dalai Lama and H.H. Penor Rinpoche, and in 2006 he joined the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute to pursue higher Buddhist education and completed the course in 2015. Between 2015 and 2019, he served as a teacher at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, Serme Thoesamling, and Zhichen Vairoling. In 2020, he joined the research team at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute and worked on a shared topic of ''Twenty Lines on Vows'' and an individual topic of ''The Lock of Secret Mantra Teachings''. In 2023, he was conferred the title of Khenpo in Namdrolling. He has published a book on poetry called ''The Splendor of Youth'' and authored many other writings, lectures, and presentations in magazines and online forums. +
Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin took his monk’s vows at the age of 14. He studied the Thirteen Major Texts with Khenchen Nawang Gyalpo Rinpoché and other khenpos. He also received the entire Lamdré-cycle of empowerments of the Ngor-Sakya lineage from Khensur Khenchen Rinpoché and from Amdo Lama Togden Rinpoché and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoché he received many Nyingma empowerments and teachings. Later, Khenpo Rinpoché joined Drikung Kagyu Institute at Jangchub Ling in Dehra Dun and there met His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoché. The spontaneous devotion he felt for His Holiness resulted in his request to His Holiness to join the monastery there and continue his education.
Having already completed the first four years of his studies at other monasteries, Khenpo Rinpoché quickly completed his education at Jangchub Ling. After three years teaching lower classes in the monastic college, he was enthroned by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoché as a “Khenpo” in 1998 and spent three more years teaching Buddhist philosophy at the Institute. In between his busy schedule first as student and later as instructor, Khenpo Rinpoché completed the Ngondro, Chakrasamvara and other practices while in retreat. In April 2001, Khenpo Rinpoché arrived at the TMC to assist Khenchen Rinpoché and also to improve his mastery of the English language so that he can be of more benefit to the spread of Dharma. He began teaching at TMC in August of that year and was subsequently appointed as co spiritual director of TMC by Khenchen Rinpoché. Khenpo Rinpoché is known and loved for his engaging teaching style as well as his complete lack of pretensions. ([http://drikungtmc.com/about/khenpo-tsultrim-tenzin/ Source Accessed Nov 18, 2020]) +
Khenpo Yeshi received a B.A. in Religious Studies from UC Berkeley (2012), an M.A. in South and Southeast Asian Studies from UC Berkeley (2017), and is now a doctoral candidate. His research focuses on Tibetan Buddhism and the early development of the Dzogchen Heart Essence (Rdzogs chen snying thig) tradition, the highest section of the so-called Pith Instruction Teaching (Man ngag sde) of Dzogchen. His interests revolve around this contemplative system’s view, path, conduct, and fruition, as well as broader issues in Dzogchen’s relationship with other traditions in Tibet and beyond. +
Kyabje Khensur Kangurwa Lobsang Thubten Rinpoche (25 December 1925 – 22 January 2014), was a Buddhist monk, Abbot of Sera Jey Monastery, and the founder of Tibetan Buddhist Institute[1] (Adelaide). Khensur means "former abbot" and Rinpoche means "precious teacher."
Former Abbot of Sera Je monastery, Holder of the transmission lineage of the Kangyur, considered widely as the greatest scholar of Abhidharma of his age and, perhaps, the foremost Vajrayogini practitioner, Kyabje Khensur Kangyur Rinpoche was one of the last great practitioners and scholars largely trained in Tibet. He was known at Sera Je as one of the "Three Greats."
Rinpoche taught all over the world including India,[2][3] Australia, USA, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Because of his extremely high qualifications, advanced knowledge and spiritual insights so rarely found in Lama's today, Rinpoche was often requested to teach at Sera monastery, where thousands of monks flocked to hear him speak.[2]
His administrative achievements include his election first as the Sera Je disciplinarian and then, in 1982, his appointment as the monastery's abbot. His charitable achievements include the reestablishment of Sera Je School and founding of the Tibetan Sponsorship scheme.
He was born to a farming family in a mountainous valley of eastern Tibet (Kham) in what is now the Kartse (Ganzi) Prefecture of Western Sichuan. This area was the birthplace of many great lamas of contemporary times, including Khensur Rinpoche Urgyen Tseten, the late Geshe Ngawang Dhargye and the late Geshe Rabten, teacher of many leading western scholars of Tibetan Buddhism.
Rinpoche was not a recognised reincarnation (tulku). However, at a very early age, he displayed signs that he very likely was the reincarnation of someone of great spiritual attainment. Among these were an affinity for religious ceremonies such as pujas. ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyabje_Rinpoche Source Accessed Sep 24, 2024]) +
Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche is a Tibetan monk and director of Katog Choling, a nonprofit organization based in the United States. Khentrul Rinpoche oversees more than twenty practice groups across North America and in China, Australia, and South Africa, as well as a large retreat center in the mountains of northwest Arkansas. He is also the abbot of Katog Mardo Tashi Choling, in Tibet, where his family, named “Gonpa Tsang,” has overseen the monastery for several generations. There he has established a Buddhist university, a three-year retreat center, a primary school, and a number of community outreach programs. Khentrul Rinpoche’s principal root guru was His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche. His other gurus include His Holiness Katog Moktsa Rinpoche and His Holiness Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche. (Source: [https://katog.org/khentrul-bio-english-2/ katog.org) +
Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö Rinpoche was originally born in the mountain ranges of the Golok region of Tibet. After taking full ordination, he studied in 11 monasteries and practiced with more than 25 teachers from all of the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions, earning himself the title of "Rimé Master" and teacher (Khenpo) of the Tsangwa Monastery in Dzamthang, Tibet. He was later officially recognized as the second reincarnation of the great masters Lama Ngawang Chözin Gyatso. After a time in retreat, he came to India to continue his practices and make pilgrimage to Buddhism’s most sacred sites. It was here that Rinpoche met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama supported Rinpoche's plans to travel to the West and to spread the teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra.
In 2003, Rinpoche moved to Australia and founded the Tibetan Buddhist Rimé Institute. Since then, Rinpoche has written and translated a number of books to guide students in the practice of the Kalachakra Path as presented by the Jonang-Shambhala lineage. While his main focus has been on the Kalachakra system, Rinpoche emphasizes a non-sectarian approach helping his students draw from the vast wisdom of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. ([https://drikungdharmasurya.org/khentrul-jamphel-lodro-rinpoche/ Source Accessed Dec 23, 2025]) +
