Khenpo Kunzang

Khenpo Jigme Kunzang Gyaltsen was born in Padma, Golok. When he was 17 years old, he went to Larung Gar to study with HH Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. At Larung Gar, Khenpo Kunzang excelled in his studies. At one point, HH Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok singled out four of his students from an ocean of thousands of students for being very capable scholars and teachers. These students were Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, Tulku Lungtok, Tulku Tenzin Gyamtso, and Khenpo Kunzang.

While Khenpo Kunzang is on one hand highly revered as a spiritual teacher in Golok, Amdo, and Kham, he is also respected for how much time he has dedicated his life to caring for Tibetan orphans and seeing that disadvantaged Tibetan children receive an education. As a recognized reincarnate Lama, Khenpo Kunzang could live comfortably in a large monastery, or travel the world giving teachings, but instead he chooses to live at Sengdruk Taktse School where he oversees all the activities of the school, and cares for the students there as if they were his own children. His dedication to the students of Sengdruk Taktse School and the well being of the Tibetan people, not just monks and nuns, is astonishing.

After studying Buddhist philosophy and practice for many years at Larung Gar, Khenpo Kunzang began teaching and became well known for the eloquence and depth of his teachings. He then went to reestablish a Shedra, or Buddhist philosophical college, at Traling Monastery in Golok. After spending some years on the Shedra, Khenpo Kunzang realized that in order to benefit all Tibetans, not just monks and nuns, he would have to make education his primary focus. In particular, he realized the importance of educating young Tibetans who did not have access to education. So together with Tulku Thubten Norbu, Khenpo Kunzang founded Sengdruk Taktse School in 1999. This is also why Sengdruk Taktse School is home to primarily orphans and poor nomad children.

A spiritual biography of Khenpo Kunzang is currently being translated, as well as a video interview in which he talks about Sengdruk Taktse School and the Kunpen Mentseekhang project.