Teachers

Khenchen Lama Rinpoche

Khenchen Lama Rinpoche is a highly accomplished scholar, teacher and meditation master of the Nyigma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Kham (Eastern Tibet) and since very early childhood displayed unusual compassion and inclination towards meditation. At the age of three, the head of Nyigma lineage, His Holiness Sera Yangtul Rinpoche, recognized Khenchen Rinpoche as a reincarnation of Padma Dagnag Lingpa - a high Rinpoche of Nyigma lineage. Padma Dagnag Lingpa was a reincarnation of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe, one of the five closest disciples of Padmasambhava and the founder of the yogi lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. H.H. Sera Yantul Rinpoche wrote an elaborate prophesy of Rinpoche’s life in which he also mentioned that Khenchen Rinpoche would especially benefit students in the West in this lifetime.

Despite pressures to take over abbot responsibilities at four monasteries at an early age, Khenchen Lama Rinpoche was encouraged by his mother to undergo rigorous scholastic and meditation training. For 25 years he studied and practiced primarily Buddhist philosophy and meditation, but also logic, medicine, astrology, languages, grammar, lexicography, dance, and drama. Over a period of ten years he received instructions from his root teacher, His Holiness Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche at the Larung Buddhist University. H. H. Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche is known as the most extraordinary meditation master of contemporary Tibetan Buddhism. While studying, Rinpoche spent two to three months each year in silent solitary retreat summing up to about four years of retreat practice in total.

Since receiving his Khenpo and Khenchen titles, Khenchen Lama Rinpoche taught debate, astrology, sutra and tantra at many different monasteries and centers in Tibet, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. He is the spiritual director of yogi centers in Malaysia, Singapore, UK and Europe. Since 2004 he has regularly taught at Dharmakirti College in Tucson, Arizona. Khenchen Rinpoche’s teachings mainly focus on the topic of Buddha wisdom in the cycle of hidden treasure teachings of Padma Dagnag Lingpa. He is especially known as a dream yoga master practicing meditation during day and night. In his teachings Rinpoche combines precise scholastic knowledge with practical meditation advice in a suitable form for ordained lay practitioners. He is unique in his emphasis of the importance of practice to his students and often provides teachings with a meditation practice requirements. Having both the most advanced academic training and extensive meditation practice experience, a teacher of his qualities is difficult to find. Being in the presence of his radiating compassion and wisdom is a true blessing.

Rinpoche authored three books on sutra and tantra, and wrote a book of songs. His most recent book on ’21 Taras’ is currently being published in China. But besides teaching and writing, Khenchen Lama’s main efforts have concentrated on building and sustaining an orphanage in Tibet that currently provides accommodation, food, clothing and education to 150 children and 30 elders. To support his humanitarian activities, in 2008 Rinpoche’s students established AWAM Foundation. Rinpoche would also like to build a retreat center for yogis in Tibet in the future.

Acharya Lama Gursam
At the age of six, Lama Gursam entered Drikung Kagyu Monastery in Tso  Pema, India, where he completed his basic education and studied Buddhist philosophy, practice, ritual and conduct. In 1981 he began his college education at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (University) in Sarnath, Varnasi,  India. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1988 in the Sanskrit, Hindi, Tibetan and English languages and in Buddhist philosophy. Pursuing graduate study at the University, he was President of the student union, and served two years as a Kagyu Committee member. In 1990 he received his Master's degree in advanced Buddhist philosophy. Upon graduation he also received a special award from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

After graduation, Lama Gursam was requested by His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche to come to the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Dehra  Dun, India. There he served as a volunteer for five years, teaching Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and history. He also held the posts of Instructor, Head of Examinations and Assistant Director while serving as secretary to His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the head of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. During this time, he also did a one-year meditation retreat and received Dzogchen teachings and empowerments from Khenchen Thupten Rinpoche and other lamas of the Nyingma lineage. He also studied with Dr. Pema Gyaltsen, a specialist in the Tibetan language.

In 1995, Lama Gursam was sent by His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche to the United  States, where he taught Buddhist philosophy for five years. Then Lama Gursam met His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, whom he considers to be the second Milarepa. Under H.E. Garchen Rinpoche's guidance, together with the Venerable Traga Rinpoche, in 2002 he completed a traditional three-year retreat in the United States, practicing Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. After a nationwide teaching tour, he then traveled to India, Nepal and the border of Tibet, where he completed a six-month retreat in Milarepas cave at Lapchi. Following his 2003 teaching tour, he again returned to India and Nepal to take part in the Monkey Year teachings and Yamantaka retreat at Lumbini, the Buddhas birthplace, with more than 100 monks and nuns. Lama Gursam then received special teachings from H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche, and continued doing retreat in India.