Tenzin Zopa
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Lama Thubten Zöpa Rinpoche
, Geshe Lhundub Sopa
Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Tharchin (Albany Karma Thegsum Choling), and Geshe Lobsang Zopa (Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery)
Geshe Tenzin Zopa (born 1975) is a Tibetan Buddhist monk of the Mahayana
tradition. He is currently the resident teacher of the Losang Dragpa Centre of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Zopa is featured in the 2008 documentary film Unmistaken Child
, which follows his search for the reincarnation of his beloved master, Geshe Lama Konchog
. Zopa has also written a book about this search, titled Precious Holy Child of Kopan.
, near where his future teacher Geshe Lama Konchog
lived in an isolated mountain cave. His parents and family were simple, nomadic farmers. Geshe Lama Konchog attended Zopa's birth, and turned him to prevent a breach birth.
After a period of opposition from his father, who wanted him to marry and be a householder, at the age of seven Zopa joined Konchog as his disciple and closest assistant, and stayed with his master till Konchog's death in 2001. Konchog had taught Zopa the Tibetan alphabet when he was only two years old. As he grew, Konchog taught him various prayers, teachings on Buddhist philosophy, commentary, rituals, sutras, and tantra.
In 1984 at the age of nine, Zopa was ordained in the Kopan Monastery
in Kathmandu, Nepal
. There he studied Tibetan language, English, Nepali, art, lama dance, ritual, puja, and Buddhist philosophy. He also did a 6-month retreat with Geshe Lama Konchog back in the cave in Tsum. Zopa was singled out as a special spiritual student, and was not allowed to play with other young monks. Instead, his time was spent studying or in communion with Konchog and other high lama
s.
Zopa escorted Konchog in all of his worldwide travels and teachings, and was also Konchog’s English translator.
In 1990, Zopa entered Sera Je Monastic University
, and he lived there, whenever he was not traveling and studying with Konchog, until 2006. He was the top student in debate, writing, and memorization at Sera Je, and he always ranked among the top five students out of more than 5000 monks. In 2007 he completed his studies and graduated as Geshe
. Zopa is one of the youngest Geshes (equivalent to a PhD or Doctor of Divinity) in Tibetan Buddhism. In his youth he skipped four grades, and the Dalai Lama let him take his final Buddhist exams four years ahead of schedule. He speaks fluent English, Tibetan, Nepali, and Hindi, and a little Mandarin.
Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
Not to be confused with Geshe Lhundub Sopa Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Lama Zopa Tharchin , and Geshe Lobsang Zopa ...
, Geshe Lhundub Sopa
Lhundub Sopa
Not to be confused with Lama Thubten Zöpa Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Lama Zopa Tharchin , and Geshe Lobsang Zopa Lhundub Sopa is a Tibetan monk....
Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Tharchin (Albany Karma Thegsum Choling), and Geshe Lobsang Zopa (Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery)
Geshe Tenzin Zopa (born 1975) is a Tibetan Buddhist monk of the Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
tradition. He is currently the resident teacher of the Losang Dragpa Centre of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Zopa is featured in the 2008 documentary film Unmistaken Child
Unmistaken Child
Unmistaken Child is a 2008 independent documentary film, which follows a Tibetan Buddhist monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher, the world-renowned lama Geshe Lama Konchog . The filming, which began in October 2001, spans a time frame of five and a half years...
, which follows his search for the reincarnation of his beloved master, Geshe Lama Konchog
Geshe Lama Konchog
Geshe Lama Konchog, born Lobsang Puntsog , was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist gelugpa lama, who had thousands of followers around the world. Konchog was recognized by the Dalai Lama to be a Great Mahasiddha, or realized guru....
. Zopa has also written a book about this search, titled Precious Holy Child of Kopan.
Biography
Tenzin Zopa was born in 1975 in the Tsum Valley in NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, near where his future teacher Geshe Lama Konchog
Geshe Lama Konchog
Geshe Lama Konchog, born Lobsang Puntsog , was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist gelugpa lama, who had thousands of followers around the world. Konchog was recognized by the Dalai Lama to be a Great Mahasiddha, or realized guru....
lived in an isolated mountain cave. His parents and family were simple, nomadic farmers. Geshe Lama Konchog attended Zopa's birth, and turned him to prevent a breach birth.
After a period of opposition from his father, who wanted him to marry and be a householder, at the age of seven Zopa joined Konchog as his disciple and closest assistant, and stayed with his master till Konchog's death in 2001. Konchog had taught Zopa the Tibetan alphabet when he was only two years old. As he grew, Konchog taught him various prayers, teachings on Buddhist philosophy, commentary, rituals, sutras, and tantra.
In 1984 at the age of nine, Zopa was ordained in the Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. It belongs to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition , an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, and once served as its headquarters.The monastery was established...
in Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. There he studied Tibetan language, English, Nepali, art, lama dance, ritual, puja, and Buddhist philosophy. He also did a 6-month retreat with Geshe Lama Konchog back in the cave in Tsum. Zopa was singled out as a special spiritual student, and was not allowed to play with other young monks. Instead, his time was spent studying or in communion with Konchog and other high lama
Lama
Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries...
s.
Zopa escorted Konchog in all of his worldwide travels and teachings, and was also Konchog’s English translator.
In 1990, Zopa entered Sera Je Monastic University
Sera Monastery
Sera Monastery is one of the 'great three' Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet, located north of Lhasa. The other two are Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. The origin of the name 'Sera' is attributed to a fact that the site where the monastery was built was surrounded by wild roses in...
, and he lived there, whenever he was not traveling and studying with Konchog, until 2006. He was the top student in debate, writing, and memorization at Sera Je, and he always ranked among the top five students out of more than 5000 monks. In 2007 he completed his studies and graduated as Geshe
Geshe
Geshe is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks...
. Zopa is one of the youngest Geshes (equivalent to a PhD or Doctor of Divinity) in Tibetan Buddhism. In his youth he skipped four grades, and the Dalai Lama let him take his final Buddhist exams four years ahead of schedule. He speaks fluent English, Tibetan, Nepali, and Hindi, and a little Mandarin.
Current positions
In February 2007, Tenzin Zopa was appointed the resident teacher of the Losang Dragpa Centre in Malaysia, part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. He has many students worldwide. He is also project director of several monasteries and nunneries in the Tsum Valley of Nepal. In addition, he oversees the physical, mental, and spiritual development of Tulku Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche, the reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog. Zopa has authored several books and other publications.External links
- Geshe Tenzin Zopa – Official Site
- Facebook page
- Tsum Project – monasteries and nunneries in Nepal
- "Little Buddha" – Zopa's reincarnated master, whom he discovered in rural Nepal