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Geshe Sonam Senge Appointed the Abbot of Namgyal Monastery
Khen Rinpoche Sonam Senge |
Dharamsala 4 September: The Namgyal Monastery yesterday welcomed its new abbot Geshe Sonam Senge widely known as Geshe Dawa la. He has been appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the sixth abbot of the monastery since 1959. At a modest function held at the Tsuglakhang cathedral here, Geshe Senge la was enthroned. He succeeds Jhado Rinpoche.
Geshe Sonam Senge worked as a residential teacher for Buddhist hilosophy at the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dharamsala, till his appointment as the abbot of Namgyal monastery. Born in 1933 in Kongpo, Tibet, he joined Ganden monastery, Lhasa in 1948. He spent ten years at the transit camp in Buxar following the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He then pursued higher studies at Ganden monastery in Mundgod for 10 years after which he was awarded the degree of Geshe Lharampa (the highest academic achievement for a Tibetan monk).
Geshe la served as a residential teacher at Namgyal monastery for 7 years from 1980. As instructed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he joined the LTWA in 1987. During his service at the library, he had taught thousands of foreign and Tibetan students. He also taught Buddhist philosophy to the monks of Nechung monastery. He has also written books and articles on various topics of Buddhist Philosophy and represented the LTWA in many religious and academic gatherings, both officially and unofficially.
Formerly located in the Potala premises, Namgyal Phende Lekshey Ling Monastery, better known as Namgyal Monastery is relocated in Dharamsala, India. Devoted to higher philosophical study of both Sutra and Tantra, the monastery is instrumental in performing all state rituals. Members of the monastic order are responsible for assisting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in all major religious ceremonies such as the Kalachakra and other teachings and initiations.
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