A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

A Brief Biography of Ven. Lama Rinchen Phuntsok

The Venerable Lama Rinchen Phuntsok is a skillfull teacher with a light and joyful manner.  He is a scholar and meditation master of the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.  Born in Tibet, Lama Rinchen began receiving instruction in the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism at the age of six in Tsasum Chokhorling Monastery in Tibet.  After he left Tibet in 1958, he studied at Young Lama's Home School in Dalhousie, The Buddhist Monastic School in Rewalsar, Nyingmapa Lama's College in Dehra-Dun, and Zongdog Palri Monastery in Kalimpong. Lama Rinchen graduated from Sanskrit University in Varanasi India where he completed advanced studies in Sutrayana Buddhist philosophy and scriptures, commentaries, logic, literature, history, and the major sciences of the Tibetan curriculum.  To complete his training in Vajrayana Nyingma School studies, he served as private secretary to the late His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, supreme Head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism for over fifteen years.  During that time he received all the important empowerments, transmissions, essential instructions, the oral teaching of Nyingma Kama, and the Profound Rediscovered Teachings of Terma of the great Lotus Born Teacher, Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Vajravana Buddhism.  For many years Lama Rinchen was in charge of Zangdog Palri Monastery in India and also Urgyen Dongag Choling Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.  In 1980, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche asked him to come to the United States to teach in his New York center where Lama Rinchen was director and resident Lama for four years.  He lecturers widely in the United States, Europe, and Asia at centers, colleges, and universities.  He also devotes time and effort to compiling a library of sacred Buddhist works.   Lama Rinchen frequently stays in Tallahassee to give teachings during his U.S. tour as he continues to spread the teachings of the Dudjom Lineage.