Compassion and wisdom are basic qualities, present in all of us. The Buddha taught how we can develop them further to transform a human life into the path of enlightenment. These instructions have been handed down in an unbroken lineage until today.
Dzogchen’s innermost essence is embedded in the terma tradition, a special lineage of treasure teachings concealed by the eighth-century teacher Guru Rinpoche with the intention that they be revealed at specific times in the future. Many of these teachings contain predictions for modern times, including particular spiritual practices beneficial for these times. The terma tradition contains detailed instructions on how to take maximum advantage of our human life, imbuing it with its fullest possible meaning.
Rangjung Yeshe Gomde is linked to the Chokling Tersar lineage, a collection of terma teachings revealed by Chokyur Lingpa (1829-1870), one of the last of Tibet’s 108 great tertöns or “treasure revealers”. The extraordinarily clear and profound heart practices revealed by Chokyur Lingpa, along with their assocated teachings, are contained in a body of literature filling more than forty large volumes. They are practiced by both the Kagyü and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Our teachers often are the holders of many different special linages, each with there own history, qualities and different emphasis. Each in harmony with the other, not contradicting but enhancing the whole. This is the special quality of Vajrayana, there are many methods each suiting different individuals. The main group practices at Gomde belong to the Chokling Tersar tradition, but individuals in retreat practice the teaching that they have their own personal link with.
Gomde Scotland’s teaching programme is rooted in an unbroken lineage of Tibetan Buddhist masters. The teachers connected to our centre bring decades of training, practice and experience to their work with students, offering teachings that are both deeply traditional and genuinely alive to the world we live in today.
Our Teachers
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
Spiritual Head, Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Trust
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche was born in 1951 as the eldest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and has served as the Abbot of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery since its inauguration in 1976. Overseeing both the monastery and its affiliated institutions, Rinpoche is responsible for the personal welfare and spiritual education of nearly 500 monks and nuns.
A meditation master who has been teaching audiences around the world for over 35 years, his teachings are marked by warmth, humour and wit, offering a living connection to the Buddhist tradition that is fresh, vital and relevant to contemporary life. He is the founder and head of a global network of Buddhist centres dedicated to study, practice and social engagement.
More about Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche: dharmasun.org
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996)
Widely acknowledged as one of the great meditation masters of modern times, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche left Tibet and settled at the hermitage of Nagi Gompa on the northern slopes of Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, where he lived quietly as a true Dzogchen yogi, visited by a steady stream of scholars, students and practitioners from around the world. Throughout his life he spent more than 20 years in meditation retreat.
He was famed for his profound meditative realisation and the concise, lucid and humorous style with which he imparted the essence of the Dzogchen teachings — a method of pointing to the nature of mind directly, through one’s own experience, using few words. His teachings are preserved in several books, including Rainbow Painting, Vajra Speech and As It Is.
Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche
Born in August 2001, Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche was enthroned at the age of seven in Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudhanath by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche. He currently resides at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, often presiding over the monastery’s large pujas and ritual practices.
More about Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche: monksandnuns.org
Phakchok Rinpoche
Phakchok Rinpoche was born in 1981 to Kyapjé Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche and Sangyum Dechen Paldrön, within the family lineage of the great treasure revealer Chokgyur Dechen Zhikpo Lingpa. He was recognised as the reincarnation of the 6th Kyapgön Phakchok Rinpoche, one of the three throne holders of the Taklung Kagyü seat at Marthang Kham Riwoche monastery.
Under the guidance of his root teachers — Kyapjé Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Kyapjé Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Kyapchok Soktse Rinpoche — Phakchok Rinpoche has received and practised profound teachings handed down in an unbroken lineage from Mahaguru Padmasambhava. An enthusiastic and vibrant teacher, his approach is direct, accessible and always fresh.
More about Phakchok Rinpoche: samyeinstitute.org
Drupon Lama Tenzin Sangpo
Drupon Lama Tenzin Sangpo was born in the Tingri region of Tibet in 1967. Following his escape from Tibet in 1976, he received ordination and a traditional monastic education at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s monastery in Boudhanath, Nepal.
A revered senior lama and chant master at the monastery, Lama Tenzin completed a traditional three-year retreat under Rinpoche’s guidance. He is a key architect of the Tara’s Triple Excellence online meditation programme and travels throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas to teach it to practitioners worldwide.
Lama Öser
Lama Öser is one of the very senior monks of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. He has studied under many great masters and for a number of years was the personal assistant of the great Dzogchen master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Lama Öser resides at Gomde UK for several months of the year, leading retreats and giving teachings.
Khenpo Karma Gyurmey (Tokpa Tulku)
In 1978, Khenpo Karma Gyurmè was born in remote Nubri, a sacred Himalayan region of Nepal bordering Tibet and blessed by Guru Rinpoche. His late father, known simply as ‘Nubri Tulku’, headed a small monastery in the village of Tokpa, Nubri. At the age of 9, Karma Gyurmè entered Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and commenced his monastic training. Growing up, he was noticeably reserved, shied away from boisterous playground games, and immersed himself in his Buddhist studies. Karma Gyurmè taught himself English and soon became articulate, even studying academic Buddhist treatises in English. After enrolling in the 9-year course of advanced Buddhist studies in Ka-Nying’s own monastic college, or shedra, Karma Gyurmè was awarded his khenpo degree designating him as a senior monastic professor, the Western equivalent of a ‘Professor of Divinity.’ Also known as Tokpa Tulku, Khenpo Karma Gyurmè began teaching academic classes daily in the shedra. Renowned as an instructor with an engaging style of imparting the Buddha’s most profound teachings, Rangjung Yeshe Institute engaged him to teach courses on esoteric Buddhist treatises. In recent years, Khenpo has also taught Buddhist courses in our Western Gomdes where his English language skills, astuteness, charm, and popularity have captivated his listeners.