Yeshe Khorlo's Resident Teacher

Khenpo Tenzin, the new resident teacher at Choying Dzong in Crestone, CO. is a highly accomplished student and teacher of Buddhism in the Nyingma tradition. Khenpo Tenzin was born in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, in 1969. He has been a Buddhist practitioner since the early age of 7 when he entered Dechenphordrang Lobdra (Monastery) where he flourished studying Buddhist prayers and art. As an exemplary student, he received the nyingma gyudbum transmissions from His Holiness, the previous Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche.

From age 14-18, he studied Buddhist Philosophy and Arts at Phajoding Shedra under the direction of His Holiness Geduen Rinchen, the former Je Khenpo.

He then attended Ngagyur Nyingma Shedra Institute of Higher Buddhist Learning in Mysore, South India, where he pursued higher studies in Buddhist Philosophy. He was fortunate to be able to study under the direction of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, from whom he received extensive, extraordinary empowerments and transmissions in ngondro, tsa lung and dzogchen. For nine years, he successfully completed extensive study and research with reknown teachers, Khenchen Pema Sherub, Khenchen Namdol, and Khenchen Tshewang Jamtsho. In 2003, the venerable Khenpo Tenzin Thinley was conferred the title of Khenpo, Doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy, by the Nyigma Institute of Mysore, India. Khenpo is the highest degree one can attain, a Doctorate in Divinity.

During 1998 and 1999, Khenpo Tehzin went on to teach in Tamshing Shedra, Pema Lingpa’s own Monastery. It is the historic seat of the State Religion and Monastic College for Higher Buddhist Studies in Bumthang District, Bhutan.

From 1999-2005, Khenpo Tenzin assumed the position of Principal in Gangteng Shedra, (University of Buddhist Philosophy), in Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan, where he was in charge of 275 Buddhist Student Monks and their teachers.

Then, Khenpo Tenzin entered into the traditional 3-year retreat in Kunzang Choling Retreat Center, Gangteng. He was under the supervision of H. E. Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche, the current head of Yeshe Khorlo. Khenpo Tenzin received empowerments and Dzogchen teachings from His Holiness Je Khenpo Tenzin Dondrup Rinpoche during this time. During this three-year retreat and the following three years, Khenpo Tenzin received the full and complete teachings of the Pema Lingpa tradition from H. E. Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche. Khenpo also has received numerous teachings from His Holiness Khentse Rinpoche, and Penor Rinpoche, among others.

Upon completion of his retreat, he again taught Advanced Buddhist Philosophy in the Gangteng Shedra (University) for 2 years. During this time, Khenpo Tenzin was personally selected by H.E. Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche to become the new resident teacher of the Yeshe Khorlo Center in Crestone, Colorado. Khenpo Tenzin moved to Crestone in May, 2011 to assume his new position in the United States of America.

Under the direction of H.E. Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche, Khenpo Tenzin offers talks and teachings on Buddhist Meditation and Philosophy to Yeshe Khorlo students in Crestone and various centers throughout the United States.

Please join us in welcoming Khenpo Tenzin to Crestone. We are very fortunate to be able to receive teachings from such a highly esteemed and well qualified teacher.