Choden Rinpoche
Return to Buddhist Masters, Buddhist Ayurveda
Born in 1933 in Eastern Tibet, Choden Rinpoche was recognized at age three as an important incarnate lama, and ordained by Pabongka Rinpoche at the age of six. He entered Sera Je Monastery when he was fifteen, where he mastered all the philosophical teachings required for the highest monastic title of Geshe Lharampa. Choden Rinpoche was one of the two Sera Je lamas selected to debate with His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama during His Holiness' examination for the geshe degree.
When the Communist Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959, Choden Rinpoche was arrested and jailed for several months. After his release, Rinpoche went into solitary retreat for 19 years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa for twenty years. In 1985 he was allowed to leave Tibet for India. Since then he has taught thousands of students at Sera Je monastery in South India, and in Dharma centers around the world.
Choden Rinpoche is regarded as one of the great masters of the day, and is particularly famed for his pure moral conduct. He has taught worldwide, and at the FPMT Centers at Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s request. His great insight into the Dharma and his peerless and compassionate conduct have inspired many students in the West to follow in his example to take ordination vows.