Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. A Short Biography:

Rinpoche was born in Thami, Nepal, in 1946. At the age of three he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Lawudo Lama, who had lived nearby at Lawudo, within sight of Rinpoche’s Thami home. Rinpoche’s own description of his early years may be found in his book, The Door to Satisfaction (Wisdom Publications). At the age of ten, Rinpoche went to Tibet and studied and meditated at Domo Geshe Rinpoche’s monastery near Pagri, until the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 forced him to forsake Tibet for the safety of Bhutan.

Rinpoche then went to the Tibetan refugee camp at Buxa Duar, West Bengal, India, where he met Lama Yeshe, who became his closest teacher. The Lamas went to Nepal in 1967, and over the next few years built Kopan and Lawudo Monasteries. In 1971 Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave the first of his famous annual lam-rim retreat courses, which continue at Kopan to this day.

In 1974, with Lama Yeshe, Rinpoche began traveling the world to teach and establish centers of Dharma. When Lama Yeshe passed away in 1984, Rinpoche took over as spiritual head of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which has continued to flourish under his peerless leadership. More details of Rinpoche’s life and work may be found on the FPMT Web site. Rinpoche’s other published teachings include Wisdom Energy (with Lama Yeshe), Transforming Problems, Dear Lama Zopa and others available from Wisdom Publications, and many prayer and practice booklets available from the FPMT Foundation Store.

For more about Rinpoche's life, read the entire article at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive website.

A note to students who have not met Rinpoche

It might be helpful to know that Lama Zopa Rinpoche's English, although not flowing, is precise and clear in conveying the meaning. Sometimes difficulty occurs when you are not familiar with Rinpoche's pronunciation. This may result in becoming impatient or frustrated. So, please be aware beforehand, so that you may be able to relax and accept more easily Rinpoche's way of speaking. With familiarity, you begin to see that Rinpoche is able to convey the meaning very clearly, if not in flowing English. It does require that you put more effort into listening attentively if you've never heard Rinpoche speak before.

To hear Rinpoche's amazing laugh, please watch this YouTube slide show.

To listen to Rinpoche you will find many teachings on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive website.

To view photos of an Animal Blessing event Rinpoche performed in Sydney, Australia, June 2006, visit the Vajrayanna Institue's website.

Preview the forthcoming documentary featuring Lama Zopa Rinpoche "Mystic Tibet: An Outer, Inner and Secret Pilgrimage."

For more photos of Lama Zopa Rinpoche visit the FPMT photo gallery.