Lama Pema Biography

Lama Pema Tsewang was born in 1972 in Tsum, Gorkha District, Nepal. He is the eldest son of Pema Lapchen. Lama Pema’s family lineage is that of Guru Chowang, the Ngak Labrang.

Guru Chowang lived more than 700 years ago. He was one of the early Nyingmapa masters, one of the five great terton kings – revealers of hidden teachings buried by Guru Rinpoche for the benefit of future beings. Guru Chowang was an emanation of Guru Rinpoche as well as an incarnation of Trisong Deutsen, the second great Dharma king of Tibet who invited Guru Rinpoche, Shantarakshita, Vimalamitra, and many other Buddhist teachers. Among the termas he revealed were the Lama Sangdu (the embodiment of the master’s secrets), the thu je chen po yang nying du pa (a terma on Avalokiteshvara), the sang gye nyam jor cag nyug ma (liturgical arrangements and explanations of the ka ma teachings), the yang sang pu dri (Vajra Kilaya), the ka gye sang dzog (a cycle on the Eight Sadhana Teachings), and the dzog chen yang ti sang gye nyam jor (Dzogchen teachings). Because he had accomplished the power of truth in speech, whatever he said brought swift blessings and ensured that many of his students gained spiritual attainments. In these and other ways, he was enormously kind in serving the teachings and guiding those to be tamed. The descendants of Guru Chowang, down to Lama Pema’s father and now brother, served as abbots for the monastery founded by Guru Chowang, which now has 6 branches.

In 1981, at the age of 9, Lama Pema entered Thrangu Tashi Choling Monestery in Boudha, Kathmandu. In 1983, he took the initial vows of a monk. In 1989, he took the complete ordination vows of a Gelong Bikshu) from the Very Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, tutor of H.H. The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. In 1993, Lama Pema entered the first three year retreat at Namo Buddha Retreat Center in Namo Buddha, Nepal under the guidance of V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche. In the retreat, he accomplished the practices of the Kagyu gunuyogas, Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara, Red Chenrezig, Konchuk Chindu, Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra, Tara, Amithabha, and Chod. After retreat, Lama Pema returned to Tsum and received all the empowerments for his family lineage of Guru Chowang.

In 1997, Lama Pema completed his studies in Buddhist Philosophy and rituals. From 1997 to 1999, he was in charge of the administration of Shree Mangal Dvip High School,

Rinpoche’s school for Himalayan Children. Lama Pema was then appointed the discipline master for Thrangu Tashi Choling Monastery.

In that capacity, Lama Pema severed as a teacher to young monks, as well as administrator for monastery activities. In 2002, Rinpoche appointed him as a Vajra Master, one of the highest post in the monastery amongst Khenpos, Retreat Masters, staff and monks. He continues to hold this positon.

Lama Pema praying next to Rinpoche during the Ground breaking Ceremony for the Future Thrangu Monastery Site in Richmond, B.C.