Welcome to Khacholing Center

Khacholing’s Translator and Spritual Programs Coordinator:

Geshe Choedup

Geshe Yeshi Chodup was born on Nov. 4, 1971 in Khagpo village in Gangkar Lhakhang which is located in Markham, Eastern Tibet. His father is named Trinley and his mother is Apo. He began primary school in his village at the age of eight and graduated four years later. At twelve (in 1982) he began his initial training as a monk under the auspices of Ven. Phagpa Losel Rinpoche. He continued his Dharma studies at Dzindu Monastery beginning in 1986. There he was trained in the monastic ritual activities including chanting, monastic dance, ritual music and instrumentation, and the ritual and artistic construction of sacred sand mandalas. At age 19, he journeyed to Lhasa with his brother who worked there as a truck driver. For two months he went on pilgrimage around Lhasa, in Central Tibet, and to Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatze. He then headed westward and managed to escape across the border into Nepal. In Nepal, he proceeded to the Tibetan Refugee Reception Center in Katmandu.

Through the assistance of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, he was provided the opportunity to continue on to India, and to receive an audience with His Holiness in Daramsala, and receive his blessing. In the autumn of 1990, he was admitted to Gaden Shartse Monastery in Mundgod, in Karnataka State in South India. He received the novice monk ordination (getsul) from the Ganden Tripa, Ven. Lobsang Nyima of Nyari Khangtsen, at Drepung Loseling Monastery. After completing his novice training, he received the complete vows of Full Ordination (gelong) from His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Upon entrance into Gaden Shartse University in 1990, he immediately began his studies for the Geshe degree (equivalent to a PhD in Buddhist studies), which consists of mastering the five great Buddhist sciences: Prajñaparamita (perfection of wisdom); Madhyamika (philosophy, ontology, and dialectics); Pramana (formal logic); Abhidharma (phenomenology and epistomology); and Vinaya (ethics and laws). He successfully completed the geshe program studies in 2002, receiving top honors (1st rank) in his examinations. He was awarded the Geshe degree in 2010 after further thorough practice and oral examinations. 

Geshe Yeshi has been a resident monk and teacher at Khacholing Center since 2008, and serves on the Khacholing Center Board, and as a spiritual advisor and teacher.

©2010 Khacholing Center