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Lama Pema Tsewang
Dungse Lama Pema was born in 1972 to a renown family of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in Tsum, an area in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border His ancestor, Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (also referred to...view moreDungse Lama Pema was born in 1972 to a renown family of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in Tsum, an area in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border His ancestor, Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (also referred to as Guru Chöwang), was a famous 13th-century “treasure revealer” (Tib. tertön) and a speech emanation of the great Tibetan Buddhist king, Trisong Deutsen. Guru Chöwang rediscovered eighteen treasures (Tib. terma) hidden by Guru Rinpoche (Skt. Padmasambhava) and other realized Buddhist masters. In this sense, Guru Chöwang was unusual in that not only did he uncover teachings from the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, but also from the Gelug, Sakya, and Kagyu traditions as well, including a terma from Marpa the Translator. Five of his “heart” termas are concerned with developing devotion to one’s guru, and as an indication of how precious they are thought to be, many of the treasures he revealed are still practiced today. Guru Chöwang continues to be regarded as one of Tibet’s most important treasure revealers.
Lama Pema is descended from this distinguished family lineage. When he was a young boy, he wanted to become a monk and as a result of his determination, when he was nine years old, he entered Thrangu Tashi Chöling Monastery in Boudhanath, Kathmandu. After completing his studies in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and rituals as well as an extensive traditional three-year retreat at Namo Buddha, Nepal, the V.V. 9th Thrangu Rinpoche appointed Lama Pema as Vajra Master, one of the highest posts in the Monastery. Thrangu Rinpoche then asked Lama Pema to go to Vancouver, Canada to support his North American activities and to teach on his behalf. Lama Pema also oversaw the construction of what would become the first traditional Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the Pacific Northwest. Thrangu Monastery Canada in Richmond, BC was completed in 2010, and Lama Pema has been responsible for all aspects of the Monastery’s day-to-day operations, as well as for the lay and monastic communities’ well-being. It is Lama Pema’s unwavering commitment to upholding and preserving precious Buddhist teachings that inspires students. view less