Geshe Tenzin Zopa
Geshe Tenzin Zopa holds the honoured Geshe (Doctorate) degree from Sera Je Monastic University, South India having completed the 20 year monastic curriculum in just 17 years. He was ordained at the age of 9 by the late great mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog, received novice ordination from Geshe Lundrup Sopa Rinpoche and full ordination from HH the 14th Dalai Lama. Under the direct tutelage of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the great mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog and the most eminent of Gurus including those from the renowned Sera Jey Monastic University, Geshe Tenzin Zopa possesses vast scriptural knowledge and extensive teaching experience. He has successfully managed major projects, has completed many retreats including a six month Highest Yoga Tantra retreat with the late Geshe Lama Konchog and is highly skilled in rituals, astrological observations and religious dance.
Geshe-la’s inspiring search for his reincarnated master is the subject of the film documentary ‘Unmistaken Child’
Geshe-la is an international touring FPMT geshe.
Geshe Ngawang Samten – Resident Teacher at Vajrayana Institute
Geshe Ngawang Samten is the resident teacher at Vajrayana Institute, our sister centre in Sydney. He attained his Lharampa Geshe degree, the equivalent of a Ph.D. in Buddhist Philosophy, at Sera Monastery in India. His teaching style is thorough and detailed, pitched at different levels to suit different students.
For more information on Geshe Samten and VI’s program, see www.vajrayana.com.au
Geshe Thubten Sherab
Geshe Thubten Sherab was born in Menang, Nepal in 1967. He entered Kopan Monastery at the age of 9. After 10 years study, he went to Sera Je Monastery graduating as a Geshe. After this he went to Gyume Tantric College for one year and then to Kopan Monastery for one year to teach young monks. From 2001 – 2003, Geshe Sherab served as a Board member at FPMT International Office, Taos, USA. He taught at Thubten Norbu Ling Center, Santa Fe and Ksiti Garba Center, Taos. In December 2003, he had returned to Nepal for his own practices. Appointed as Head Master of Kopan Monastery from 2006 – 2010. He served as Acting Abbot in 2011 at Kopan Monastery. For the last few years, Geshe Sherab has been teaching at FPMT Centers in USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Asia, Europe and Australia. Currently Geshe-la is resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling Center, Santa Fe, USA.
Venerable Lozang Yonten
Bhikshuni Lozang Yönten is an American-born Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition who was ordained in 2003.
She studied intensively in Australia at Chenrezig Institute from 2002 – 2009, completing their Buddhist Studies Program, then continued to study, retreat and offer service at Dharma.
Centres in India and Taiwan as well as Australia and New Zealand, becoming an FPMT in-depth registered teacher.
Venerable Yönten was the Resident Teacher of Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre in the Blue Mountains of Australia from 2011 – 2014 before her position as teacher-in-residence six months of the year at Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity in New Zealand until February 2018 while teaching one four-month semester each year in Israel as a member of the Buddhist Faculty at the Human Spirit Psychoanalytic-Buddhist Training Program in Lod, Israel. Yonten-la has also been a regular visitor to the Shantideva Study Group in Qirat Ono, Israel, who have made good quality recordings of many of her teachings available on line. Currently she is an FPMT touring teacher and retreat leader.
Venerable Robina Courtin – Touring FPMT Teacher
Robina has been teaching annually at our centre for many years. She tours internationally, teaching in hundreds of locations around the world.
Ordained since the late 1970s, Ven. Robina has worked full time since then for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s FPMT. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.
For more info please visit www.robinacourtin.com
Venerable Jampa Dekyi
A very popular teacher at VI, Venerable Dekyi met the dharma in 1992 and realised immediatley that there was no other way for her to live. She was ordained a year later. Ven Dekyi has studied the Buddha dharma in depth, taught at a number of FPMT centres including Tushita, Dharamsala. She has a broad understanding of secular life and the dharma. She completed many of the topics of the Basic Program at Chenrezig Institute before moving to Vajrayana in 2019.
Venerable Thubten Chokyi
Ordained in 2006, Venerable Chokyi has been a regular visitor to Kunsang Yeshe, where the warmth and clarity of her teaching is much appreciated. Previously resident teacher and Spiritual Program Coordinator at Vajrayana Institute, Sydney and resident teacher at Chenrezig Institute, Queensland Venerable Chokyi is now resident teacher at Hayagriva Centre, Perth. She is also Director of Liberation Prison Project, which provides Buddhist books, study materials and personal spiritual mentors for prison inmates across the world. For more info about this project please visit: www.liberationprisonproject.org
Venerable Tsultrim (Carla Pearse)
Venerable Tsultrim has been a student of Chenrezig Institute, QLD for 14 years and was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 2009. She is a counsellor with a Master of International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution. Venerable Tsultrim works with people at risk of suicide, their family and friends. She uses mindfulness techniques and other Buddhist principles to help people make changes allowing development of peace and contentment in heart and mind.
