Lineage

Lineage

Our meditation and study is based on teachings from the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions in particular.

Teachers

Lama Norlha Rinpoche

Lama Norlha Rinpoche is the abbot of Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery and director of Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche’s Dharma centers in the eastern United States.

He was born in 1938, in the Nangchen District of Kham, eastern Tibet. He entered Korche Monastery at the age of five, receiving monastic ordination at fourteen. By the age of twenty-one, Lama Norlha had completed two three-year retreats. After the communist takeover of Tibet, he escaped on foot to India where he met Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche and became his close disciple, and a retreat master.

At Kalu Rinpoche’s request, he went to America in 1976. His first dharma center here was Kagyu Dzamling Kunchab, New York City. Among his many other activities, he has led six three-year retreats to completion at Kagyu Thubten Choling, NY. Besides his activities in the US, Rinpoche has opened schools and clinics in rural Tibet and founded the first ever women’s monastic college in Tibet.

Lama Rinpoche holds the Dagpo Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages. He is an accomplished meditation master, and the kindest of teachers.


Karmapa

HH 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje

The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.


Tai Situpa

12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, Pema Donyo Nyingche Wangpo

Tai Situ Rinpoche is one of the highest ranking lamas in the Karma Kagyu lineage, and has also played a critical role in the preservation and continuation of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.