About Khenpo

The term khenpo, or khenmo is a degree for higher Buddhist studies given in Tibetan Buddhism. In the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya traditions, the title is awarded usually after a period of 13 years of intensive study after secondary school. It may roughly translate to either a bachelor's degree, or nowadays more likely to a terminal degree in Buddhist Studies equivalent to a PhD or MPhil. The degree is awarded to students who can publicly defend their erudition and mastery in at least five subjects of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, namely Prajñāpāramitā, Madhyamaka, Pramāṇa, Abhidharma, and Vinaya. After successfully passing their examination they are entitled to serve as teachers of Buddhism.
The Chronicle Project

The Legacy of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

2
Jul
2024
Vajrayana Teachings and Culture

Tibetan yogi Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche’s passing into Tug-dam

26
Jun
2024
Vajrayana Teachings and Culture

Commemorating Ju Mipham and Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

6
Jun
2024
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Milarepa, wearing the distinctive white shawl (zen) of a Ngagpa

Honorific titles in Tibetan institutions and clergy

28
Jul
2022
Culture, Rinpoche, Vajrayāna
Buddhist monasticism is an important part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, all the major and minor schools maintain large monastic institutions based on the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya (monastic rule) and many religious leaders come from the monastic community. There are also many religious leaders or teachers (called and Gurus) which are not celibate monastics and in some cases the lama is the leader of a spiritual community. Some lamas gain their title through being .
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The Vajrasattva Mantra Banner

26
May
2021
Mantras
HUM. The Vajrasattva represents primordial . We can clean our of , , and delusion by meditating on him. He carries a thunderbolt in his heart, which signifies his upaya, or talent in liberating via . Who is Vajrasattva? Vajrasattva is a significant figure in the of the Valley's . He is commonly invoked in the maala, which is the fundamental for all other  .
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Black Mahakala Statue Real Gold and Thangka Color

All about Wisdom Protector – Mahakala

9
Apr
2021
Deities, Mantras, Vajrayāna
is a male deity. He is the protector deity known as a in , especially most traditions, in Tangmi and in Japanese Esoteric . Maha literally translates as great and Kala signifies or death, hence Mahakala means "beyond the time" or "Great Black One". Mahakala is a protector deity and specifically the primary Protector of and . In some cases, Mahakala can also be a meditational .
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Nyingma refuge tree - Longchen Nyingtik Lineage

Nyingma Lineage tree thangka with explanation chart

22
Aug
2019
Art, Himalayan Art, Thangka, Tibetan paintings
The subject depicted in this is called Guruparampara, a “Line of Teachers.” It depicts the family tree of lineage, as it were, and its function is to indicate a line of descent. The meaning of this presentation is to show a for believers. It creates a kind of structure with a number of deities and teachers in whom devotees take refuge, because they will help believers in the course of their spiritual development.  .
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The Nyingma Head, Kathok Getse Rinpoche

22
Nov
2018
Dharma, Kathok Getse Rinpoche, Monks, Rinpoche, Stupas
Gyurme Gyaltsen aka the Fourth Katok Getse was one of the five ‘’Golden ’’ holders of the lineage, a branch of the tradition. At the Nyingma Monlam in Bodhgaya, January 2018, Rinpoche was appointed to be the supreme head of the Nyingma Tradition for three years. At the same meeting of the representatives of the , it was decided to appoint and five other Nyingma  .
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Thrangu Rinpoche Sixteenth Karmapa

25
Apr
2018
Biography
was born in Kham in 1933. At the age of five, he was formally recognized by the Sixteenth and the previous Situ Rinpoche as the incarnation of the great Thrangu . Entering , from the ages of seven to sixteen he studied reading, writing, grammar, poetry, and astrology, memorized ritual texts, and completed two preliminary retreats. At sixteen under the direction of Lodro Rabsel, he began the of .
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