HE Samten Dorji, Tsulag Lopen Rimpoche

At the age of six in 1970, Tsulag Lama embarked on the journey that has taken him to be the one of the most revered and respected spiritual leaders in the kingdom of Bhutan. Presently the Chancellor for the Monastic Community, he looks after the monastic education ministry and is considered the highest authority in traditional monastic education system.

During his rise, he headed highest of ranking and respected Buddhist Colleges like Tango Buddhist College, Cheri Meditation centre and Dodedra Buddhist Institute for several years.

Starting his education in one of the oldest monastic schools in Bhutan – the Dechenphodrang, he studied in Gyalzhing Shedra in Sikkim, specializing in Madhymaka Studies. He later joined Dzongsar Shedra, Himachal Pradesh, where he completed the 13 Tibetan commentaries besides other religious commentaries and enhanced them. During the years from 1990 to 1994, he underwent Traditional Drukpa Kargyud Three Year solitary retreat at Chagree Meditation Centre, beside other such exercises.

His Eminence Tsulag Lama feels fortunate to have studied under some of the greatest luminaries in Buddhist teachings that include HH Late Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, HE Khamtrul Rinpoche Dondgyud Nima, HH Je Khempo Geden Rinchhen Rinpoche, the 69th head abbot of Bhutan. HH Je-Khempo Trulku Jigme Chhoedra, the present head abbot of Bhutan, among others.

The time required of him as a Chancellor though could have been spent on actual spiritual practice; he understands that system is required when there is any mass quest, in this case – the enlightenment.