Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche

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Lama Kunga Rinpoche

Lama Kunga Thartse Rinpoche

Resident Teacher at Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center Lama Kunga (Lozang Kunga Gyurme), Thartse Rinpoche was born into a noble family in Lhasa in 1935, the son of Tsipon Shuguba, Treasurer in the Dalai Lama's government.

At the age of 7, he was recognized as a reincarnation of Sevan Repa, a heart disciple of Milarepa, Tibet’s great 11th century poet-saint. Rinpoche entered Ngor Monastery at eight and was ordained as a monk at sixteen. In 1959, he was Vice-Abbot [Shabdrung] of the Sakyapa Ngor Thartse Monastery, of which his older brother Sonam Gyatso, Thartse Khen Rinpoche, was abbot. He escaped Tibet with his countrymen at the time of Chinese invasion.

In 1972 Rinpoche came to America and at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama joined Geshe Wangyal in New Jersey. Later, at the requests of students he came to Kensington, California and established the Ewam Choden Tibetan Buddhist Center. Lama Kunga has also taught in New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, Oregon, Florida, Utah, Minnesota, and Arkansas.

Over his years in America Lama Kunga was hosted the great masters of many traditions of Tibetan Buddhism at Ewam Choden. These masters include:

With unparalleled patience and generosity Lama Kunga has responded to the heartfelt supplication of his students and taught, line by line, word by word, week after week, many of the great jewels of the Sakya tradition including:

From the Lamdre tradition

Commentaries on the Tradition of Vajrayogini (Naropa's Khecari) by

Lama Kunga is also an avid golfer and has been featured in Golf Digest magazine and on ESPN.

Primary Teachers

Ngor Pan De Khen Rinpoche (ngag dbang mkhas grub rgya mtsho) Ngor Abbot Dampa Rinpoche Ngawang Lodro Shenphen Nyingpo (ngag dbang blo gros gzhan phan snying pop) (1876 - 1953)

Primary Lineage

Publications

Lama Kunga has published two collections of Songs of Milarepa Drinking the Mountain Stream : Songs of Tibet's Beloved Saint, Milarepa, Lama Kunga, Brian Cutillo, Wisdom Publications, 1995.

Miraculous Journey: New Storys and Songs of Milarepa, Lama Kunga, Brian Cutillo, Lotsawa, 1986.

In the Presence of My Enemies: Memoirs of Tibetan Nobleman Tsipon Shuguba, Sumner Carnahan, Lama Kunga Rinpoche, Heartsfire Books.

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