Geshe Tenzin Zopa

Geshe Tenzin Zopa was born in 1975 in the Tsum Valley in Nepal and is an international FPMT touring Geshe. He entered Sera Jey University in 1990 to undertake extensive studies in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and graduated as a Geshe in 2007.

The highly esteemed late Geshe Lama Konchok, became Geshe Tenzin Zopa’s spiritual and temporal guardian when Geshe Zopa was three. From that time Geshe Lama Konchok gave Geshe Tenzin Zopa commentaries on various important Buddhist sutra and tantric texts. Geshe Tenzin Zopa became Geshe Lama Konchok’s closest disciple and was his assistant and translator until his teacher’s death in 2001. The multi award-winning documentary ‘Unmistaken Child’ covers his search over 5 years for the recognised reincarnation of his late master.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa entered Kopan Monastery in 1984 and was ordained as a monk. At Kopan he studied Tibetan language, English, Nepali, art, lama dance, ritual, puja, and Buddhist philosophy. He became close to, and received teachings from many high lamas, including FPMT’s Spiritual Director, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. During his adult life Geshe Tenzin Zopa has worked for his heart teacher, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as a touring Geshe within Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s international network of centres, the FPMT, and also for major projects such as the development of a nunnery and monastery in the remote Tsum valley, Nepal.

He has a contemporary style of teaching and teaches in English which has made him a popular and accessible teacher, whilst his years of philosophical studies and debate have also meant that his teachings contain both rigour and depth.