About Khensur Rinpoche

Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel, the spiritual director of Land of Compassion Buddha, was born in Litan, Tibet in 1931.

At the age of five, he began, on his own initiative, to wear the maroon robes of a monk. He formally entered Lithang Monastery at the age of nine. Subsequently he entered Gaden Jangste Monastery and after 20 years of studying and practicing Sutrayana and Tantrayana, rinpoche was awarded the degree of Lhagrampa Geshe in 1976. In 1992, he was awarded the degree of Ngagrampa Geshe from Gaden Monastery, a supremely high form of recognition within Tibetan Buddhism. He taught at Namgyal Monastery, Nechung Monastery, and the Tibetan Library.

In addition to becoming a highly recognized scholar and teacher, Khensur Rinpoche has demonstrated an equally profound commitment to practice. He pledged to complete 100,000 full prostrations in front of the Natural Body of Lama Tsong Khapa at Gaden Monastery in Tibet, and completed them within one month. At the age of 56, Rinpoche started to teach in the United States. In the United States, Khensur Rinpoche has established centres in San Diego and Los Angeles, and travels to other states to teach as well. In addition, he has established dharma centres in Taiwan, Singapore, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Canada to benefit as many people as possible.  In 2001, after becoming the Abbot of Gaden Jangtse Monastery, he has set up a retreat facility for his students in India. He personally leads Yamantaka and chittamani Tara retreats on a yearly basis.

As a teacher, rinpoche places strong emphasis on the practice of Dharma both "on and off" the meditation cushion. Students are advised to complete their Preliminary Practices, or Nungdros, and to maintain a disciplined daily practice, with equal focus on rejoicing in joyous effort. Equally emphasized is the practice of compassion in action towards others, with constant mindfulness and awareness of cause and effect. Rinpoche encourages his students to memorize texts, especially The Three Principal Path by Lama Tsong Khapa and The Heart Sutra, and to use these precious teachings to evaluate their daily activities.

As a master of Highest Yoga Tantra, rinpoche gives initiations as requested by his students. The initiations are from all classes of tantra, and can be accompanied by profound and detailed commentaries. Rinpoche holds frequent retreats, which he personally leads, to give students the opportunity to learn the practices correctly and deeply. Regularly scheduled retreats include Yamantaka, Vajrasattva, Amitabha, Chittamani Tara, Avalokiteshvara, and Nyung-Ne.