Tuesday, December 30, 2008

H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa in Chia Yi temple opening in Taiwan, 13/11/ 2008


The person in the middle is the governor of West Bengal, Gopal Krishna Gandi. He is the grandson of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
The lady beside him is his wife.


Beside me is H.E. Gyaltsob Rinpoche. At the place where we were sitting, Buddha had spent 8 summer here for his retreat .
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V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche with me at Varanasi, India
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Monday, December 29, 2008

Letter from V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche

Letter fromThe Twelfth Drukpa, Gyalse Lodroe Pende Thaye

Himalaya Buddhist Institute - Letter pad

Himalayan Buddhist Institute – Darjeeling, India


A New Buddhist Study Center Located in Darjeeling, India
e-mail: khenposogyal@yahoo.com
Mobile Phone: 886-96327-8640
Fax: 886-2-2585-3679





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  • PURPOSE

Provide an institution in the Himalayans for people all over the world to study East and West religious practices and different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism for achieving enlighten and tranquility.

  • TEACHER

Kenpo Sonam Gyatso, Ph.D.- *see attached CV
Professor of Varanasi Institute, Master of Kargyudpa, practiced and teaching 30 years of Buddhist Philosophy, Mahamudra, and Six teachings of Naropa.


  • ENDORSEMENT

H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa, H.H. Karmapa, Most Ven. Trangu Rinpoche


  • PRESENT FACILITIES

One and quarter acre land located in Darjeeling with two elementary structures enough for approximately 30 visitors to meditate, discussing, and learning. It is a humble and solid beginning of the institute, and its future is dependent on all of your blessing and support.

Our first stage budget is targeted for US$210,000 (NT$ 6,400,000). If you are having the blessing and merit for donation, please wire or transfer your fund into the following account:


Chang Hwa Bank 009
Ching Kwang Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.

Account No. 97215102131 – 800
Name: GYATSO SONAM
e-mail: khenposogyal@yahoo.com



  • KHENPO SONAM GYATSO RINPOCHE,
  • Ph.D Professor of Buddhist Philosophy
  • Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies Sarnath, Varanasi 221007, India
  • Taipei Drukpa Kargyud Center No. 19, Te-Hui St, 9 Fl. Taipei, Taiwan
  • Tel: 886-2585-3678
  • Fax: 886-2-2585-3679
  • Cell: 886-96327-8640
Born 1952, and became monk at the age of 15. In 1976 at the age of 24 started teaching at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan. Because he studied all religionist practices of the East and West, and received all teachings of various lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He practiced the main lineage Kargyudpas Mahamudra, Six Teachings of Naropa and complete self lineage teaching. Honored as Khenpo by 16th H.H. Karmapa, 12th H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa. He holds Senior Khenpo position and professorship in the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. He served in many university boards, Committees, over thirty years, published three books and edited 15 others.

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.

Resume

KHENPO SONAM GYATSO

106 Reeve Avenue
Bloomingdale NJ 07403
(973) 838-8005
khenposogyal@yahoo.com



Work Experience


Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India

Dean of The School of Buddhist Philosophy 1999 - 2006
  • Facilitates communication between faculty and higher administration
  • Directs implementation of goals and objectives of School of Buddhist Philosophy
  • Chairs and or participates in various university committees such as board of studies, academic council, board of governing directors for the cultural exchange program, library committee, education committee
  • Member of the “Board of Society”


Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India

Visiting Professor to “The Five Colleges” Smith, Hampshire, Holyoke, University of Massachusetts and Amherst College Spring 2004
  • Taught Religion 279 Buddhist Thought: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhis
  • Taught Religion HACU 0296 Lamrim and Mahamudra Teachings of the Kagyu School


Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India
Dean of Students 1998 – 2004

  • Liaison between student body and higher administration
  • Lectured (taught courses in Buddhist Philosophy and Logic)
  • Mentored research students
  • Published translation of Gampopa’s The Jewel Ornament of Liberation in Hindi from original Tibetan text
  • Published comparative and critical edition of Gampopa’s The Jewel Ornament of Liberation original Tibetan text
  • Director of cultural exchange program with Hampshire College, Smith College USA and Tasmania University and Malverne University Australia 2000-2001, 2003-2004
Expart of concearn subject for the Phd dissertation scholar of University of Virginia, U.S.A. 2007

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India
Professor of Logic and Buddhist Philosophy 1998 – present
  • Coordinated faculty and student participation in cultural exchange program with Hampshire College, Smith College USA and Tasmania University and Malverne University Australia
  • Lectured (taught courses in Buddhist Philosophy and Logic)
  • Mentored research students
  • Researched Buddhist Philosophy
  • Directed university library
  • Established library cataloging system
  • Implemented university wide internet connection

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India
Reader (Associate Professor) 1990 – 1998

  • Lectured (taught courses in Buddhist Philosophy and Logic)
  • Researched Buddhist Philosophy
  • Advised research students
  • Participated in development and implementation of exchange program with US and Australian colleges and universities


Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Department of Buddhist Studies
Sarnath, Varanasi India
Lecturer (Assistant Professor ) 1978 – 1990

  • Lectured (taught courses in Buddhist Philosophy and Logic)
  • Researched Buddhist Philosophy
  • Advised research students
  • Instrumental in creation and organization of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies



Education

Department of Buddhist Studies
Sanskrit University, Varanasi India
Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy Phd. 2000

Department of Buddhist Studies
Sanskrit University, Varanasi India
Master of Art in Buddhist Philosophy MA 1976

Department of Buddhist Studies
Sanskrit University, Varanasi India
Bachelor of Art in Buddhist Philosophy BA 1973

Department of Buddhist Studies
Sanskrit University, Varanasi India 1969
Secondary studies

Tibetan Refugee School
Moosoorie India
Primary Studies 1961



Awards And Honors

Awarded the rank of Khenpo (Abbot) by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa 1976

Awarded The honor of Senior Khenpo by His Holiness the 12th Drukchen Rinpoche 1993

Awarded the recognition of Teaching and meditation Master, Advanced Practitioner of Mahamudra, The Six Teachings of Naropa, The Bardo State and The Art of Phowa.

Privileged recipient of the Oral Lineage Teachings from The Renowned Masters of all the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism Including: Nyingma Tradition: His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Sakya Tradition: His Holiness Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, Gelug

Tradition: His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Kargyu Tradition: Thragu Rinpoche, His Holiness The 12th Drukchen Rinpoche, His Holiness The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Thukse Rinpoche, H.E. Zigar Rinpoche, Gan Khentse Rinpoche and Sendak Rinpoche.

Received special Kargyudpa traditional teachings such as: The Mahamudra and The Six Teachings of Naropa as well as many other teachings from Gan Khentse Rinpoche and the 68th H.H. Je Khenpo Yonten Ode Rinpoche of Bhutan, beside these received Sutra and Tantra teaching from Khenchen Noyang Rinpoche, Khenchen Yeshi Chodar rinpoche and many eminence scholar of different lineages of Tibet.


Community Activities

Presently traveling on a regular basis to Buddhist centers in Taiwan and Hong Kong as a
Distinguished visiting guest lecturer and teacher of Buddhist Philosophy, meditation, Tibetan Language and Culture

Senior Khenpo (abbot) in the Drukpa Kargyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

Senior member of Thupten Choling Sanga Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
West Point Darjeeling, India


Languages

Tibetan, Hindi, Nepalese, Sanskrit, English


Publications

Translation of Gampopa’s the Jewel Ornament of Liberation from Tibetan to Hindi 1998


Edited the Jewel Ornament of Liberation, with critique and Commentary (Tibetan) 1999.

Translation of Gampopa’s the Jewel Ornament of Liberation from Tibetan to Sanskrit 2000


Presentations

International Seminar, Andhra University and the University of Miami: “Teaching philosophy in India, a vision for 21st century education” March 9-11 1998, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam India

Congress de Metaphysique: “Metaphysics and Buddhism” October 28-30 1994, Reunion France

Delivered talk at Sakya Collage, Dehra Doon, India 1995.
Particepate Rig ter Gunche opening ceremony at sakya Collage and presentat peaper 2005.

Deilviead taik at Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 2006.

Deilvied talk at Fo Guang University, Ilan, Taiwan 2006 and 2007

Deilvied talk at Tamkang University, Taipei, Taiwan 2007