Jonang Teachers
His Excellency Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche has lived in India since 1993. Over the years, he has received numerous initiations and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with particular emphasis on the Hundred Instructions on Kalachakra. In 1998, His Holiness appointed him as the Abbot of Jonang Monastery in Shimla. Rinpoche also holds the title of Dorje Lopon ("Vajra Holder"), the highest tantric title within the Jonang tradition.
In 2014, he was bestowed the title of Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, making him the main representative of the Jonang lineage in exile. Tulku Choekyi Nangpa Rinpoche holds all lineages of the Jonang tradition, with special emphasis on the Kalachakra, the Wheel of Time, the central Yidam deity of the Jonangpa tradition. This lineage traces its origins back to the Buddha.
Rinpoche was entrusted with transmitting the teachings of this lineage by His Eminence Dorje Chang Ngawang Yonten Pal Sangpo, Rinpoche’s root lama. He teaches monks in Shimla in accordance with the Jonang tradition and guides students of the Kalachakra Meditation Institute in the Six Vajra Yogas. Rinpoche is also frequently invited to teach in numerous countries across Europe and America.
Geshe Kunga Rinchen, the former abbot of Jonang Monastery in Shimla, India, was born in 1971 in the Nyawa region of Tibet. With the support of his parents, he was admitted to school at a young age and completed his primary education. In 1985, he took monastic vows under the guidance of the esteemed Lama Kunga Thukji Palsangpo of Sai-Jonang Monastery in the Nyapa region. He dedicated three years to practicing the Six Yogas of Kalachakra Tantra and spent an additional two years in retreat, engaging in cutting-off rituals and profound spiritual paths.
In 1989, he received his ordination as a monk in the lineage of Taranath, under the presence of the reincarnated Khar Sherab Choephel. Later that year, he had the opportunity to visit one hundred haunted grounds with Wugye reincarnated Tenkho and Lama Kunga Loden, deepening his spiritual practice.
In June 1990, Geshe Kunga Rinchen arrived in India. He then embarked on an extensive course of study, spending 17 years learning the collected topics and the Five Great Treatises of Buddhist philosophy. His studies were guided by the former abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery, Tsultrim Phentsok, and several other distinguished tutors.
In 2007, during a gathering of Drepung Gomang monks, he achieved the esteemed title of Kachu Geshe and was awarded a certificate recognizing his scholarly accomplishments.
Geshe Kunga Tsamchung was born on April 1, 1978, in the Nyapa region of Tibet. At the age of eight, in 1985, he joined Sai Monastery Thupten Shugley Namgyal. Under the guidance of his tutor, Gen Jangchup, he studied the Kalachakra ritual and various other ritual practices. He later took his monastic vows in the presence of the reincarnated Khar Sherab Choephel.
On August 1, 1992, Vajra Master Kunga Thukji Palsangpo provided him with full instruction on Kalachakra. Under the same lama, Geshe Kunga Tsamchung practiced the Six Yogas of Kalachakra Tantra for three years and received teachings on profound rituals, the Tantra's religious cycles, and its commentary texts (མཐོང་དོན་སྒོམ་རིམ). He also received numerous empowerments, oral transmissions, and upadesha (pith instructions) from the Jonang tradition.
At the age of 19, he joined Amchok Tsannyin Monastery, where he studied Buddhist philosophy under the guidance of the old abbot, his Sutra master. When he was 20, he took his ordained vows in the presence of the highly respected Lama Kunga Thukji Pal.
In 1997, Geshe Kunga Tsamchung traveled to India, where he received the blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Khentrul Kyabje Kunga Choephel Rinpoche was born in 1983. At the age of eight, he was recognized by an oracle as the reincarnation of Lama Jamyang Gyatso of Drokge, marking the beginning of his religious journey at Jonang Drokge Monastery.
For three years, Rinpoche practiced the Six Vajra Yogas of the Noble Kalachakra under the guidance of the great Vajra Master Kunga Thukje Pal of Segonchen Monastery. During this time, he received numerous Jonang empowerments, transmissions, and instructions. He then embarked on the practice of Chöd, traveling to haunted grounds and the sacred 100 springs of Muktinath to deepen his spiritual experience.
In 1997, Rinpoche met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and received the sacred teachings of Rime, or non-sectarianism. He later joined Palden Drepung Monastery, Gomang College, to further his Dharma studies. During this period, His Holiness Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa, residing in Dharamsala, also recognized him as the reincarnation of Drokge Lama Jamyang Gyatso. Following proper astrological calculations, Rinpoche was ceremonially enthroned in the great hall.
Rinpoche continued his Dharma studies at Gomang College, where he completed the full academic curriculum and was conferred the title of Geshe. Afterward, he took the necessary vows and made extensive offerings.
For two years, Rinpoche taught at the Jonang Ma Gon Monastery in Shimla. In 2009, His Holiness Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa expressed a wish for Rinpoche to visit Mongolia. As a result, in 2014, Rinpoche established two new monasteries and Dharma centers in Mongolia: Jonang Takten Chöphel Ling and Jonang Takten Machik Kachö Ling. There, he introduced practices of Kalachakra, preliminary practices, Lam Rim, Chöd, and others.
Since 2019, in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche has resided in India, performing Dharma activities as the current abbot of Jonang Monastery in Shimla, Northern India.
Lama Yonten Gyaltso was born in 1966 into a poor rural family in Ngava. He memorized Tantric texts and rituals, successfully passing the corresponding examinations at Ser Gompa Monastery. There, he also studied the five minor sciences under the guidance of Vajradara Kunga Tukje Pal. After passing his exams on Kalachakra Tantra, he entered a three-year retreat dedicated to Tantric practice.
Following this, he traveled to Lhasa for extended retreats, meditating in various caves and other secluded locations. He dedicated ten years to studying Buddhist theory, particularly the philosophy of valid cognition. For one year, he taught philosophy and spent four years conducting classes in the Kalachakra department of Tantric rituals.
In 1997, Lama Yonten Gyaltso arrived in India, where he first studied philosophy at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s philosophy school for three years. He then joined Jonang Takten Puentsok Choeling Monastery in Shimla. Committed to transmitting the vast Dharma teachings of the Jonang tradition, Lama Yonten Gyaltso now spends most of his time in Russia, sharing his knowledge and experience with students. He has also established Jonang Dharma centers in Russia and other countries.
Kunga Lama was born in April 1948 in the Amdo province of Tibet. From a young age, he became a disciple at the Se Monastery in his home region.
He spent over three years learning the origins of Kalachakra and the final stage of meditation (Jordug) from the esteemed master Kunga Gyaltsen. Additionally, he received education in Tibetan grammar from Muge Samten. Kunga Lama also studied Buddhist sutras under the guidance of several great teachers, including Urgyen Tulku and Choikyi Nima. He was a disciple of the IX Jezhun Dampa Khutuktu of Khalkha in India, where he focused on Chöd and Tantra practices.
