Brography

Khenpo Sonom Gyatso Rinpoche

Khenpo was borne in Gonjo, Tibet in 1952. He exiled to India when China occupied Tibet in 1959. He became monk at the age of 15. He received the Bikhu Vow from Thukse Rinpoche. He studied all religions practices of the East and West, and received all teachings of various lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He obtained Master of art Degree in Buddhist Philosophy and Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy in 1976 and 2000, respectively.

Khenpo practiced his lineage teaching such as Mahamudra, Six Teaching of Naropa, and different lineage empowerment from H.H. Je Khenpo Yonten Ode. He is endorsed by H.H. Gyalwang Drukchen, H.H. Karmapa, Most Ven. Trangu Rinpoche.

Khenpo started teaching in 1976 when he was honored as Khenpo by 16th H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa, and he was also honored as Senior Khenpo by H.H. Gyalwang Drukchen in 1993. Science 1976- 2008, he was the lecturer, reader and professor in Department of Buddhist Studies, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, India. He taught courses in Buddhist Philosophy and Logic. The research of Khenpo is focus on Buddhist Philosophy. He supervised many PhD and Master Students. These students are teaching and benefiting different societies in United States, England, France, Australia, India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. He participated many international conferences, and gave speech or presentations, such as “Teaching philosophy in India, a vision for 21st century education”, and Congress de Metaphysique: ”Metaphysics and Buddhism” in France. He is one of the most important scholars in Tibetan Buddhism.

During 2004, Khenpo was visiting professor in ‘The Five Colleges”, including Smith, Hamshire, Mt. Holyoke, University of Massachusetts and Amherst College, in USA. He was the director of cultural exchange program with Tasmania University and Malverne University, Australia. In Taiwan, Khenpo gave the speech and discussed with faculties, graduate students and student clubs of Tunghai University, Chung-Hsin University, Huafan University, Fo Guang University, and Tamkang University.

Khenpo was the member of the Board of Society in the University. He chaired and/or participated in various university committees such as board of studies, academic council, board of governing directors for the cultural exchanged program, library committee, and education committee. He established library cataloging system of Buddhist text and implemented university wide internet connection.

Presently, he is traveling on a regular basis to Buddhist centers in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia as a distinguished visiting guest lecturer and teacher of Buddhist Philosophy, Meditation, Tibetan Language and Culture. He performs different Buddhist Ritualistic activities. Khenpo has good knowledge of different language such as Tibetan, Hindi, Nepalese, Sanskrit, and English. In order to benefit Taiwanese, he is learning Mandarin.

Khenpo is an erudite and intelligent Master. His teaching is dynamic and alive. He gives strict lectures in the university, and traditional Tibetan Buddhist ceremony. He gives talk in Tea Party, to break the chain of the ignorance of people. Sometimes, he delivers the talk with scientific and practical way to help people understand what the reality is. He often shares his experiences of enlightment to help people solve their problems and suffering under the tree. People received his teaching and realized his compassion and wisdom.