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Geshe Lobsang Soepa  

 

 

 

Geshe Lobsang Soepa is a well-known teacher, Tibetan monk and master of rituals.

He was born in Tibet in the province of U-Tsang near Lhasa. At birth he was named Norsang. Later his new name Lobsang Soepa was given by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

 

 

From early childhood he knew in his heart that he wanted to become a monk. After he told his parents about his decision, he went to Ganden Monastery. His teachers were the great masters and reincarnated lamas of Tibet.

At the age of 18, when political pressure from China limited freedom and monastic education in Tibet and prohibited following spiritual traditions, he voiced his protest against this new system and was put in prison by the Chinese police.

Geshe Lobsang Soepa

There the young monk was subjected to various physical and psychological pressure from the police. Refusing to renounce monasticism and his spiritual Master, he repeatedly found himself on the brink  of life and death beaten down by police . After two years of being thrown from the prison cell to the hospital and back, Norsang miraculously got a chance to run away and took advantage of it not thinking twice.

He fled to India where the leader of the Tibetan people in exile, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, has been staying for many years.

 

A young monk Norsang (Geshe Lobsang Soepa), was sent to Ganden Monastery in South India where he spent almost 25 years studying Buddhist philosophy, logic, dialectics, epistemology, yoga, meditation, chanting, rituals and much more.

Geshe Lobsang Soepa with Tibetan monks at the time of the rituals

He showed excellent results in his practices and excelling others with his special monastic singing voice ability and was appointed Choktsen Chenmo (chanting master) of Ganden Monastery by an official letter from several hundred applicants .

Vows to His Holiness the Dalai Lama upon appointment Chant Master of Ganden Monastery

He skillfully mastered all sciences and successfully passed all stages of monastery education. Having mastered all of his studies, he received the highest academic degree of the monastery: Geshe (literally "spiritual mentor") 

Geshe Lobsang Soepa with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, thousands of monks and lay people commit ritual singing. Bodhgaya, 2010. (Kalachakra Initiation)

Very few monks receive this degree. That is why the status of "Geshe" and the more rare title Choktsen Chenmo in monastic circles is revered and greatly respected.

Choktsen Chenmo Geshe Lobsang Soepa spent many years to improve techniques of ritual singing and service and won respect of the monks and high lamas, tulkus, Rinpoches, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Blessing of Abbot Gaden Monastery , after successfully defending the highest degree "Geshe"

On a personal audience with the His Holiness the Dalai Lama

During the long years of education, Geshe Lobsang Soepa gave many teachings in India to young monks and lay people.

He also taught in Europe: Switzerland, Ukraine, Italy, Norway, France, Slovenia, Spain, Austria and Germany, ect.

Currently, Geshe Lobsang Soepa gives teachings to all people who are seeking insight into the ways to  transform  their life and mind to achieve happiness.

                                                             

Geshe Lobsang Soepa with His young disciples in Ganden Monastery

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