Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche

Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche is the most senior Khenpo in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet. He was born in Tibet and studied under masters and scholars of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was ordained in 1953. He reached India in 1959. At the age of seventeen, he met his spiritual teacher, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He received most of his teachings from Khyentse Rinpoche including the Guhyagarbha Root Tantra, Longchenpa's Treasury of Pith Instructions, Kagyud Ngag Dzog, Rinchen Terdzod, Jigme Lingpa's Yoten Dzod, Lochen Dharmashri's Explanation on Ngari Penchen's Three Vows, etc. On various occasions, he also received many teachings and empowerments from highly realized masters like His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche.

In 1968, H.H. Penor Rinpoche invited him to Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple, Bylakkuppe) to teach Dharma there. Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the largest monastic University of the Nyingma tradition outside of Tibet, was established at Namdroling in 1978. Since then, Khen Rinpoche has been teaching on both Sutra and Tantra at the institute. He is the most senior Khenpo in the Nyingma tradition outside of Tibet. H.H. Penor Rinpoche conferred him the title of Khenchen (great abbot). Khen Rinpoche has travelled around the globe giving teachings and empowerments. He has also written several books on Buddhist philosophy and logic and a biography of Guru Padmasambhava.