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Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee
was born Sonam Palden in Tibet during the Chinese Communist invasion of 1959.
He and his family escaped occupied Tibet and settled in Bhutan when he was three.
At the age of 13, Geshe entered
Drepung Loseling Monastery in Karmataka, South India, where he was awarded the degree
of lharampa geshe, the highest academic degree possible within the Gelug monastic
university system. A few years later, he earned the ngarampa geshe degree from
Gyuto Tantric University in Dharamsala, India.
In 1995, Geshe traveled the world as part of the Mystical Arts of Tibet, a group of Tibetan monks who showcase Tibetan
culture, practices and beliefs; and in 1996, he accepted an invitation to teach at the
Losel Shedrup Ling Buddhist Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since the Fall of 2006, Geshe has taught courses in Tibetan culture, Buddhist philosophy,
and principles of non-violence at the University of Arkansas' Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Faculty Award by the University of Arkansas
Alumni Association and Associated Student Government. [FULL BIO]
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Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee
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Ven. Lama Mepham was Introduced to Geshe Dorjee by Lama
Thinley of Little Rock. Lama Mepham soon met Professor Sidney Burris. While Lama Mepham
was visiting in Fayetteville, Professor Burris learned that he had completed two 3-year
retreats, and so he and Geshe la wondered if Lama Mepham might be interested in remaining
in Fayetteville to offer instruction in both meditation and philosophy.
Lama Mepham will be teaching classes in meditation and Tibetan arts in conjunction with the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas.
He is also assisting Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee with his numerous duties at the University of Arkansas. Both the growing sangha
in northwest Arkansas and the students at the University are indeed fortunate to have such an accomplished teacher and meditator
in their midst; Lama Mepham has quickly become a cherished member of the community.
[FULL BIO]
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Ven. Lama Mepham
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Ven. Pema Rinchen was born in 1976 in Mondgod, Karnataka, India.
He took his monk's ordination in 1987, and in 1992 joined Drepung Loseling Monastery
where he earned his Geshe degree. In 1998, he received his full ordination
directly from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Pema has toured North America with the Mystical Arts of Tibet. In 2004, he was
appointed Head Chant Master of Drepung Loseling Monastery. [FULL BIO]
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Ven. Pema Rinchen
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