Graduation

I arrived Sera Je Monastery at the age of 15. It was one of my most exciting and important start of my life. It was also my greatest moment as this was one of my greatest wish to go to that monastery since I was a kid. At the age 6, I was almost sent to Sera together with some senior monks but due to my age and financial constrained, I was unable to go. That was before my late master Geshe Lama Konchog (Geshela) left Tsum. This however created better opportunity for me to spend more valuable time during my younger days with my late master and to be in Sera which was one of the great hopes of the late Geshe Lama Konchog, Khenrinpoche, Deyma Locho Rinpoche and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

The late Geshela Lama Konchog was away from Kopan Monastery during the time I was asked to go to Sera Je Monastery by Khenrinpoche. It was rather dramatic but interesting during that time. Khenrinpoche wanted me to study in Sera and to graduate as a Geshe very much and yet he feared that Geshela Lama Konchog might not let me go. Geshela wanted me as his attendant and has always said to Khenrinpoche that no one can decide anything for me until he dies. However, Khenrinpoche sees my interest in philosophy and debate which has lasted 3 – 4 years already. It I should succeed in geshe studies, it should not be delayed any further. So Khenrinpoche wanted to send me without Geshela’s knowing, even though he knew that Geshela wanted me to go to Sera later. The moment came when Khenrinpoche made a decision and asked one senior monk to bring me there. Air tickets were bought and the day before we left Khenrinpoche gave a call to Geshela who was abroad. Geshela straight away said he’s not keen in the idea and time has not ripened for me. I was totally stuck in between those two beloved gurus. One asking me not to go and another insisted that I do. I had to decide within one night and yet I have no authority to decide. Khenrinpoche was also in a very difficult position but I knew he definitely wanted me to go immediately and when Geshela comes back whatever scolding he will bear whatever scolding from him. Khenrinpoche said he cannot afford to keep me here and I must not delay the completion of my geshe study.

At that time Deyma Locho Rinpoche was in Kopan. We decided to ask his divination and he predicted that it was very beneficial for me to go now and to come back if that was the wish of Geshela. That way I will fulfill wishes of both my teachers. I will also accomplish the purpose of going there not only to become a geshe but a Lharam Geshe (PHD in Buddhist philosophy). Everything predicted by Deyma Locho Rinpoche till today is totally correct.

My life in Sera was one of the happiest moments because my best subject was philosophy and I felt bliss as my room was filled with long ancient philosophy text. I felt so proud being surrounded by these texts. In fact I had more text surrounding me than friends. During that time text book in booklet form was limited. It was mostly rice paper text which was light but looked thick and bulky. When we move around, we place the text on our shoulder. That looks stunning with the bright color book cover. I really felt proud of who I am at that time but it’s wrong to feel proud.

We were required to buy vegetables and cook for ourselves and since the market is open only on Tuesday, the monastery selected that day as our off day. What we needed was a few tomatoes, some rice, flour, onion, salt and chilies. Life was very simple. What we have was mainly text and when family members or others offer us something during pujas, we use the money to buy text. We use one set of robe for five years and we really got used to the thorn, old and discolored look and even our slippers became so worn out after so many years. So it’s just text in one small room. That’s all.

I am so lucky to meet my precious teacher recommended by Khenrinpoche as well as Geshela Lama Konchog. I truly appreciate my three philosophy teachers who were Sera Je’s abbot Losang Tsering (currently ex-abbot), Gyumey Tantric College’s ex-abbot Losang Tenzin and Logon Rinpoche. My sincere appreciation also goes out to those whose involved with the Lam Rim teachings, mind training teachings and various other common teachings and uncommon instructions, oral transmission of several mantras, prayers, initiations of the 4 classes of tantric deities received from various enlightened gurus such as His Holiness Dalai Lama, late great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khenrinpoche Geshe Lhundup Rigsel, Deyma Lochoe Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Geshe Singe Rinpoche, Geshe Lhundup Sopa Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Khensur Losang Tsering Rinpoche, Khensur Losang Tenzin Rinpoche, Logon Rinpoche, Dagri Rinpoche and Chopjye Trishen Rinpoche. I was also extremely fortunate to receive various experiential teachings directly from Geshe Lama Konchog in both sutra and tantra.

We were blessed to have classes and teachings everyday. I loved their teachings and they are very kind and full of compassion and due to my strong relation with Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khenrinpoche and Geshela Lama Konchog, I was given extra privilege with extra time for discussion and other things. It was amazing! Due to their kindness, the environment in Sera Je was so conducive which makes one only want to study. It makes my examination very fulfilling even thought it was very difficult. A lot of memorization, debate and writing had to be done and there are 3 annual exams. The 1^st year I was inspired to jump 5 classes (Duechung Wogma, Duechung Gongma, Duedring, Duechen, and Shungsar). It wasn’t easy especially when my examiners was very strict and set my passing rate at 70% while others were only 50%. The examiners didn’t want any one to upgrade classes easily. There were warning from the examiners that they were going to conduct my debate examination in front of two thousand philosophers and questions will be asked by more than 30 students. I also had to sit there for 3 hours and I was required to stand in front of everyone to debate for at least half an hour with 5 different scholars giving me marks. I was held responsible for wasting the time of the two thousand philosophers should I fail. This message was passed to me by the disciplinary. That 3 hour shi long was very important time for us. Once or twice a month all sanghas scholars and students gather to share knowledge through debate. And I was placed there by purpose. I could have taken the examination in front of 2 or 5 philosophers. They thought I would give up but I studied very hard for 3 months and I succeeded. I scored very high marks and my teachers were very pleased and that made Geshela Lama Konchog proud of me and I now deserve to stay in Sera but only for one year. Geshela told Khenrinpoche that he will not go overseas anymore for any request of teaching if I decided not to return. Geshela has many requests to go to Europe, Taiwan, Singapore and many other places to teach and if I don’t return, he won’t travel. Khenrinpoche had no choice but to ask me to go back to Kopan in between my studies. That’s how I spent my 10 over years till year 2001 during the passing of Geshela. Whenever there are opportunities, I will spend time and accomplish my exams and studies. I had to put extra effort but due to the kindness of the teachers in Sera, they always gave me extra time to cover the subjects. Geshela also made sure he spent 1 to 2 hours a day to teach and discuss on philosophy whenever I go back to Kopan. Both Geshela and Khenrinpoche made sure I cover the entire subject that was taught before I go back to Sera for my exam. Due to their kindness it always surprise my classmates and friends when I score in first category and the first year I scored 99.5% and ranked number one. I received many prizes and that gave me more courage never to give up even though there were obstacles. My life in Sera from the beginning up to my graduation was all due to the guru’s blessing, always first and second category. That was how I accomplish the Lharam Chothog (year before graduation). I successfully went through the process of ceremony of Lharma Chothog, and then I was granted Geshe title and graduated in March 2007. I was very grateful and truly appreciated all my teachers, classmates, Sera senior Kopan sanghas and all Katheg students who made my stay in Sera so complete. I dedicate all my efforts and merits and whatever good karma accumulated by participating in prayers and studies just to please my holy gurus and may whatever knowledge I have is only to benefit others.

Shots taken through out the event.

Brief Background

Born in 1975 in the village of Tsum located at the foothill of Himalaya, Geshe Tenzin Zopa (Geshe) is the eldest of seven siblings in his family. They lived a simple but happy life with their parents being farmers and nomad. Even from his birth, Geshe has extraordinary event happening to him. Due to complication in delivery, his mother has to swallow a butter (on advise from Geshe Lama Konchog) before he was able to be born. There are still remnants of butter at the head of Geshe when he was delivered!

Geshe is best known for his affinity with the late Geshe Lama Konchog. Ever since Geshe started crawling at the age of 3, he likes to be with the late Geshe Lama Konchog in his cave. He would stay warm in the thick blanket and got good tsampa (simple food) from the late Geshe Lama Konchog.

The late Geshe Lama Konchog taught Geshe Tibetan alphabets at the age of 2 and he continues to teach Geshe different Buddhist prayers and also looked after him more than his own parents.

In 1984, at the age of 9, Geshe was ordained in Kopan Monastery where he started to study Buddhist Philosophy, Tibetan language, grammar, English, Nepali, art, lama dance, puja etc. Before Geshe entered Sera Jhe Monastic University, he followed the late Geshe Lama Konchog for a retreat back in the cave in Tsum for 6 months.

Geshe officially started his life in Sera Je Monastic University in 1990 and lived there until 2006. In between his studies, Geshe also attended to the late Geshe Lama Konchog and traveled with him to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Europe, India and the various Himalayan region to spread the teaching of Buddha. Despite his busy schedule, the late Geshe Lama Konchog will always spare at least 1 hour to discuss the teaching of Buddhist philosophy with Geshe.

The worst day of Geshe’s life was the day when Geshe Lama Konchog passed away. As his heart disciple, he never wanted to be separated from him, only want to serve him in accordance with the wishes of all the Buddha.

To remember his kindness, Geshe decided to build a stupa to commemorate the late Geshe Lama Konchog in Kopan where he was cremated and also good place for all his students from all over the world to visit. Building the stupa would also related to quick and safe unmistaken reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog.

This was probably one of the most challenging task undertaken by Geshe at that moment. He was very worried about how to finance the project and he went round to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan for several months to raise funds. Many times, he nearly gave up and even cried several times feeling lonely and misses the late Geshe Lama Konchog.

Due to strong guru devotion and also blessings and prayers of Geshe Lama Konchog, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche, continuous effort from Gelek Gyatso Rinpoche, Ven Tenpa Choden and Ven Thubten Lhundrup and many others students, friends and benefactors, the project to build the Thousand Buddha Relic stupa of Geshe Lama Konchog was materialize in one year and also continues to expand to include the Vajra Yogini Pure Lan Park, Retreat houses, building to house Kopan’s Tantric College etc.

With the blessing of all his gurus and teachers, as well as Geshe's own effort and sincerity to complete all the studies of Buddhist philosophy all these years, Geshe la was not only the top student in all the examinations of debate, writing and memorization in Sera Je, he also completed his studies and graduated with flying colors as "Geshe" in 21st March 2007.

Despite his vast knowledge, skills and experiences in giving Buddhist teaching and consultation, Geshe la's skills in performing observation by invoking the holy beings' guidance has also benefited many people who are in need of help. Geshe la speaks fluent English, Tibetan, Nepali, Hindi and a little Mandarin.

Currently Geshe la is the project director of a number of monastery and nunnery in the Tsum Valley. He is also undertaking the important responsibility of overseeing the physical, mental and spiritual development of Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, the unmistaken reincarnation of the late Geshe Lama Konchog.

In February 2007, after numerous detailed checking’s done by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Losang Dragpa Center has the great honor to host Geshe Tenzin Zopa as the Center's resident teacher, appointed by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Geshe is truly the modern 21^st Century “Geshe”. Despite his younger age, he exudes deep wisdom and understanding of various issues mainly due to his own practice of contemplating. Advices from him are very practical and often related to common practices which can be adapted to daily life. Geshe is also well known for his good public relation skills and is very fond by his student and also general public. His interest to know people more and also make effort to communicate with them is exemplary to other members.

Geshe is also well known for giving easy to understand teachings. Feedbacks from members who vouch for are that we will be addicted to Geshe teaching. One will feel extremely satisfied, liberated and happy when attending Geshe classes.

Geshe adapts well and can blend into multi cultural environment. Despite his busy schedule, Geshe loves to meet people, travel to new area and participate in team event and spicy food.