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Placerville, Auburn, Grass Valley, Nevada City
Gaden Shartse Abbot Janchup Choeden
 | | Khen Rinpoche Janchup Choeden |
Tibetech.org, Sierra Friends of Tibet and Placerville Friends of Tibet rejoice in receiving Khen Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, present Abbot of the prestigious Gaden Shartse Norling University exiled in India. Rinpoche was appointed Abbot by His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet in 2009. Khen Rinpoche was born in the north Indian State of Himachal Pradesh. In 1979 he joined Gaden Shartse Norliing and embarked on tan extended course of Buddhist studies. Rinpoche studied under guidance of the great masters, attended debate meetings and religious discourses at various renowned Tibetan Buddhist monastic universities across the Indian subcontinent. Earning special recognition in the Tibetan Buddhist community, Rinpoche studied Buddhist Logic and episterology, Pragyanaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (philosophy of the Middle Way School), Abhidarma (Treasury of Knowledge, metaphysics), and Vinaya (Buddhis monastic ethics). In 1997 Rinpoche was awarded the prestigious degree of Geshe Lharampa, a degree often compared to a valedictorian PhD in western universities. Rinpoche subsequently joined the famed Gyuto Tantric University. Gaden Shartse Norling University (Monastery) was first established in Tibet in 1409 and flourished as one of Tibet's greatest monastic institutions. Following the destruction of Tibet's great monasteries Gaden was later re-established in exile in Mundgod, South India in 1959. The abbots of the universities are selected and approved by His holiness the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Abbots oversee all administrative and spiritual affairs of the entire college, including education, funds and religious affairs. Rinpoche ids fluent in English as well as five other languages and states that "by traveling abroad, meeting and exchanging views with people from diverse cultural, religious and social backgrounds, I enrich my own understanding of the meaning of life and common human problems. Being a graduate from a traditional Tibetan Buddhist academic system, speaking fluent English and Mandarin helps me greatly in assist people from diverse backgrounds through my counseling." Referred to as the "21st Century Monk" because of his understanding of global issues, Rinpoche has an excellent command of technology, runs his own blog site, Facebook presence and website. Rinpoche had briefly visited Nevada County in 2004 and was struck by the area's unique sense of community and long term commitment to the Tibetan culture. "The Sierra Nevada is a place I will never forget in my life for its natural beauty and the kind, friendly and caring people. The love and friendship offered by all of you is irreplaceable by anything." he says. "We are so honored to receive the Abbot of the historic Gaden Shartse monastery here in our community. Rinpoche has been in the U.S. to host teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Long Beach. It is unbelievably Auspicious for Rinpoche to make time for us again in his demanding schedule is true testament to this community's connection to the fragile Tibetan" says Melanie Sullivan of Tibetech. org. Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim, managing director of Gaden Shartse Thubten Dhargye Ling, the monastery's new center in Long Beach will be be joining Khen Rinpoche. Schedule is subject to change. Please check back for current updates and additions to the schedule. Telephone Contact: Joseph Guida, Sierra Friends of Tibet 530-272-4725. Personal Appointments: A limited number of personal appointments are available June 7-9 in Grass Valley with Rinpoche. To get on the list for personal appointments, please eMail Melanie at info@tibetech.org All events are by donation. The Dharma is offered free. Donations accepted All donations are offered to Khen Rinpoche. For frame of reference Suggested donations are $20 per event. Room permitting, NO ONE IS EVER turned away for inability to donate. Please join us. | 
