Khen Rinpoche, Prof. Ngawang Jinpa

Rinpoche was born in 1932 near Lhasa. At the age of 7 he joined the Monastic University of Drepung. For 22 years, he studied Logic, Transcendental Wisdom, Madhyamika Philosophy, Ethics and Metaphysics under Geshe Yeshe Lodhen Rinpoche. He appeared for the examination of Geshe Lha Rampa in an assembly of some 30,000 monks from Drepung, Sera and Ganden at the end of 1958, and succeeded in achieving a place in the topmost order of geshes.

Just afterward he was requested to take the abbotship of Tharpa Chholing Monastery at Kalimpong, India. After this he went on to teach at St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling for 33 years. In 1992 he taught Tibetan and Buddhism at the University in Moscow, Russia for a year. Later he went to Argentina to work as an advisor to the director on the film Seven Years in Tibet.

These days among other projects he works on translations of news items for the local Tibetan newspaper. He has been teaching the Tibetan advanced class at Manjushree Center since its founding in 1988.

In July of 2003 Khen Rinpoche recorded a collection of Milarepa's songs. To download all of the songs and find out more about Milarepa and Khen Rinpoche click here: http://www.kreisels.com/milarepa

Mr. Gyurmed Tsundue

Mr. Gyurmay Tsundu was born in Darjeeling, India in 1969. He first studied in the Indo-Tibet Buddhist Cultural Institute in Kalimpong, India and then went on to the Drukpa Kagyud School in Darjeeling. Once he completed these programs, he joined the study program in Tibetan language, Buddhist Philosophy and Sanskrit at the Central Institute of Higher Studies located in Sarnath, India.

After finishing his studies he served as a part time Tibetan lecturer at St. Joseph's College in both the University and School departments. He also worked for several years as a Tibetan language teacher in Sambhota Tibetan School in Pokhriapong.

He is currently teaching Tibetan language in Vidya Vikash Academy along with giving talks on All India Radio, in addition to general public lectures on Buddhist philosophy.

Mr. Gyurmay Tsundu joined Manjushree Centre in 1992 and is currently teaching one of the advanced classes.

Mr. Dawa

Mr. Dawa was born in 1961 in India. He studied at the Central School for Tibetans located in Darjeeling. After completion he went on to the Higher Secondary school, which he finished in 1977. Once he was done with school he gave private tuition to students at his village and helped to care for his parents. Mr. Dawa joined Manjushree Centre of Tibetan Culture in 2001.

Mr. Sonam Rinchen Gyalnang

Sonam Rinchen was born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1957. At an early age he came to India where he received his education. He has taught Tibetan in Bhutan, India and in the USA. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship which enabled him to study at the University of Vermont, in the USA. Currently he is teaching Tibetan at Loreto Convent in Darjeeling and at Manjushree Center. He has been teaching at Manjushree Center since its founding in 1988.