Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche

Spiritual Director of the FPMT

Lama Zopa Rinpoche was born in 1946 in Thami, in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, not far from the Lawudo cave where his predecessor had meditated for the last 20 years of his life. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is now the Spiritual Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition and oversees all of its activities.

Geshe Tenzin Deyang

First and Current Resident Teacher of CGC (Since Mar 2011)

Past Resident Teacher of LDC (Jan 2006 - Jan 2007)

Geshe Deyang was born in 16th June 1966 in Dharamsala, India. Becoming a monk at the age of 9, Geshela entered Gyuto Tantric College where he studied and memorized numerous ritual texts for the next five years.

In 1979, when he was 13 years old, Geshela left his hometown and travelled southward to Bylakuppe, a remote neighbourhood where he was admitted into Sera Jey Monastic University, then home to approximately 1,200 monks from all over India, Tibet and countries of the Himalayan region.

From 1979 to 1999, Geshela participated in the extensive studies of Buddhist philosophy through attending classes, daily memorization of texts and rigorous debates with classmates etc. This eventually culminated in his graduating with a Lharam Geshe degree (equivalent to PhD) in year 2000, which is the highest possible credential granted by the monastic university to any monk who successful completed his 20 years of curriculum and passed all tests with top grades, which include written tests and public debates.

In 2001 Geshela returned to Gyuto Tantric College to further his knowledge in the tantric rituals. Upon completing his study, Geshela was elected into the Gelug Examination Board as the Secretary General. From 2001 to 2003, he took charge of the monastery's examinations and his duties include monitoring the exam questions and issuing various certificates.

After retiring from the Board of Examination, Geshela was again chosen to be the Head of Sera Je's Hayagriva Committee in 2003. During those years in office, Geshela successfully invite from Nepal 9 magnificent, life-sized statues of protectors who are the entourage of Hayagriva, the Protector of Sera Je. Besides supervising the regular administrative works in the Committee, Geshela is himself an expert in the entire practices and rituals of Hayagriva.

At the end of year 2004, among 5 other candidates who are also Geshes and his seniors, Geshela was selected to become Sera Je's new Gegu (Master of Discipline, and a position next to the Abbot) with 60% votes from all the monks in the monastery.

Geshe Deyang was the resident teacher of our sister center in Kuala Lumpur, Losang Dragpa Center (LDC) where he conducted dharma classes and prayer from year 2006 to 2007.