Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso was born in 1954 in a village of the southern region of Tibet. Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro gave him the name Tsewang Gyatso and asked Khenchen’s parents to keep him neat and clean. That same year, his parents took him to Lhasa on pilgrimage. In 1960, he escaped to India along with his parents, via Bhutan. In 1962, he was admitted into the Central School for Tibetans in Darjeeling. At eleven, he became a monk and received the novice vow from Ratod Tongra Tulku. In 1969, after finishing his schooling at Darjeeling, he went to the Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi. There he studied Buddhist philosophy and other higher studies under Khenpo Palden Sherab and many other scholars. During his nine-year course in Varanasi, he studied different languages, such as Sanskrit, English, and Hindi. He also underwent a thorough study of Tibetan Literature, including poetry, grammar, Buddhist philosophy, and religious history. In 1978, upon completion of his studies there, he achieved the second highest rank and received a silver medal from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in recognition.

Following the wishes of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Khenchen came to Namdroling Monastery in 1979. For many years, he shouldered the responsibilities of a teacher and disciplinarian at Namdroling Jr. High School. In 1982, he received full ordination from H.H. Penor Rinpoche.

Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso received various Nyingma teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, including Nyingthig Yazhi. From H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche he received Dudjom Ter-Sar (New Treasures of Dudjom). His Holiness Penor Rinpoche bestowed him Rinchen Terdzod Empowerments and Namcho teachings. H.H. Khenchen Jigmed Phuntsog and Ngyoshul Khen Rinpoche also gave him many Nyingma Teachings. In this way he mastered the vast teachings of the Nyingma Lineage.

In 1983, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche appointed him Khenpo and from then onwards he has been teaching at the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. Thinking solely of preserving and spreading Buddha Dharma in general and the Nyingma doctrine in particular, he has been teaching on all levels of sutras and tantras not only at the institute, but also across the globe.

According to the guidance of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso is teaching and taking the major responsibility for Palyul Dharma Centers around the world: in the USA, Canada, Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Thus his contributions to the longevity of dharma are exceedingly great.