monks
who they are
Bringing a healing energy and a peaceful message, seven Tibetan Buddhist monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery have begun a tour of North America. One of the four great monasteries of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, Tashi Lhunpo monastery now operates in India after being brutally expelled from Tibet.
Lobsang Dorje studies Buddhist philosophy while teaching a disciple. A very intelligent and hard worker, he was part of the Monastery's 2000 UK tour. He knows the many Tantric activities such as hand gestures (mudras), playing religious instruments, drawing, creating mandalas, etc. and is currently working on his Kachen designation (similar to Geshe Lharampa degree).
Venerable Dawa is secretary (Chakzoe) of the Monastery. He has completed his monastic education and specializes on the Tantric activities of hand gestures (mudras), performing sacred music, etc. The office of the Monastery has appointed him group leader/administrator for this tour.
Nguchul Rinpoche (Dharma) is the 4th reincarnated Lama of Ngulchu Dharma Badra, tutor to His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama (Lobsang Choekyi Gyaltsen). His studies include both Buddhist philosophy and modern (liberal arts) education.
Ali Rinpoche is a reincarnated Lama. Rinpoche has worked hard on his studies at the Monastery for many years and performs divination like his previous incarnation.
Kachen Lobsang has completed his studies and holds the degree of Geshe (called "Kachen" at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery). He was part of the 1999 UK tour but was not on the 2000 UK tour because he took part in the International Gelugpa's Geshe Examination. At present he has many disciples and teaches many young monks at the Monastery.
Venerable Sogyal is one the monks who recently escaped from Tibet in order to pursue religious studies in-exile. Soon before completing his studies on Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan classical grammar at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet, he was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities for producing posters and leaflets condemning China's intervention in the search for the new Panchen Lama. He is well educated on the history of religion in Tibet and the history of Tibet. He currently is a teacher at the Monastery's school where he teaches the young monks classical grammar.
Kusho Palden teaches at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery's thangka painting center (paintings on scrolls) and has 18 students at present. He has completed his monastic studies and is considered to be one of the Monastery's finest graduates. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in thangka painting.
Lobsang (translator) completed his studies in 1997 at Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie, where he was nominated school president. He then graduated from Baldwin Methodist College (run by Bangalore University) and was appointed vice president of the regional Tibetan Youth Congress in Bangalore (1998-99) and the following year was appointed president (1999-2000). On May 13th 2000 he joined the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery's school as a teacher and currently serves as the school's secretary. He has authored History of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in India and translated History of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet.
Raymond (driver) has very kindly donated his time and skills a driver and logistical expert.