Lady Kunsang Dechen (Administrator, Board)
Lady Kunsang Dechen la was born in Leh/Ladakh India. She is the daughter of H.E. Drigung Rinpoche and Gangchen Dolma. Kunsang la has two siblings, an elder brother, the recognized as H.E. Ayang Dupchen Rinpoche, and a younger sister, Dolma Lhamo.
Kunsang la finished her middle school education in Leh/Ladakh and her high school education in New Delhi. Following that, she went on to the all women’s Jesus and Mary College at the University of New Delhi, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002.
In addition to her regular education, Kunsang la has received many Tibetan Buddhist teachings and initiations, has assisted in the translation of Buddhist texts to English from Tibetan. She has also coordinated and performed meditation retreats, understands and observes monastic protocol, and performs many duties such as corresponding with other Tibetan spiritual leaders, all of which qualify her to perform official Temple duties and rituals and assist the Dharma teachers.
Geshe Lobsang Sopa (Resident teacher)
Geshe Lobsang Sopa is a fully accomplished Geshe. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk at a very young age at Ganden Shartse Mahayana University. He has completed his studies in all aspects of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and has completed his Geshe degree. His years of study include many great teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche, and many others. He now serves as Resident Teacher at TBI.
Geshe Cheme Tsering (Resident teacher and interpreter)
(Geshe Cheme wanted to go into private life from TBI on personal grounds recently after fulfilling all the norms of a proper departure. He officially resigned from TBI on February 11th. 2023. TBI wishes him the best for his future.)
Geshe Cheme is well-qualified for the role of Resident Teacher/Monk. From 1972 to 1976, he studied at the Central Institute of Tibetan Higher Studies. He joined the Gaden Shartse Norling College (Tibetan Monastery) as an ordained monk from 1976 till dated.
In March 1996, he completed his advanced Geshe Lharampa examinations at Gaden, Drepung and Sera monastic universities, and received recognition as a Geshe Lharampa. “Geshe Lharampa” is the highest degree awarded by a Tibetan monastic university and requires fifteen years of intensive studies.
In May 2007, TBI invited Geshe Cheme Tsering to join TBI as a Resident Teacher/Monk. On September 16, 2008, Geshe Cheme assumed the position as a Resident Teacher/ Monk at TBI. He spends a great deal of time in formal rituals and explaining teachings to our dharma students. His skill in performing sacred rituals, private meditation guidance, and chanting of prayers has benefited the dharma devotees a great deal. He also welcomes the new visitors to TBI and formally gives introductory basics in Tibetan Buddhism. He is most valued for his skill to translate the Spiritual Director’s H. H. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul rinpoche's teachings from Tibetan into English so the dharma practitioners are able receive the entire Buddha dharma teaching in its purity. He is also active in serving the Vermont community to educate in Tibetan culture and Buddha dharma.
Venerable Lobsang Tharchin (Resident teacher and General Manager of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche since)
Lobsang Tharchin studied at the Tibetan Children's Village School in Dharamsala from 1962 to 1974. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang selected him from TCV School, Dharamsala to become his attendant and aim for successor of Kungo Palden Tsering La (former General Manager). At the age of fifteen he was ordained by Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang as a Buddhist monk and he attended to Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang till he entered to clear light. After Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang's passing he studied all divisions of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy at Ganden Shartse Mahayana University in south India and served as main attendant of Trijang Ladang. When Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985, Venerable Tharchin began attending to the young reincarnation in the monastery until 1996, then in Europe, and now at TBI in Vermont, USA. He also teaches TBI's Tibetan language class.
Venerable Tashi Jamyang (Resident monk emeritus)
Tashi Jamyang was born in Lhasa Tibet in 1933. At the age of five he was offered to Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang by his parents. Under the guidance of Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang he studied in Nyarong Sha school in Lhasa for eight years. At the age of fifteen he was ordained as a Buddhist monk by Rato Chuwar Rinpoche. In 1959 he fled from Tibet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. Since then he attended to Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and to Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche.
Geshe Lobsang Youten (Resident Monk and teacher)
Geshe Lobsang Youten is a fully accomplished Geshe. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk at a young age at Serpom Mahayana University. He completed his studies in all aspects of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and has received his Geshe degree in the year of 1999. His years of study include receive many teachings from different qualified teachers and Rinpoches. He now serves as Resident monk and teacher at TBI.