TOUR BIOS
Geshe Sonam – Rituals, Teachings, Translator Born in Tibet in 1968, Geshe Sonam went to India at the age of 15 and was admitted to Gaden Shartse Monastery, where he studied under great masters such as Abbot Jampa Yeshe and others. He completed 17 years of rigorous training in Buddhist philosophy, including the five great treatises—Prajnaparamita, Pramana, Madhyamika, Abhidharma, and Vinaya—as well as Tibetan grammar, history, Sutra, and Tantra. He was eventually awarded the prestigious Geshe degree.
Usur Geshe Kelsang Gyatso – Tour Director & Ritual Master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, born on December 10, 1972, in Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement, Odisha, is a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, master chanter, and Vajrayana practitioner. He began his monastic journey at the age of 13 at Gaden Shartse Monastery, where he completed 17 years of rigorous training in Buddhist philosophy, including the five great treatises (Prajnaparamita, Pramana, Madhyamika, Abhidharma, and Vinaya) as well as Tibetan grammar, history, Sutra, and Tantra. He was awarded the prestigious Geshe degree. He further completed the advanced Vajrayana program and is widely revered as one of the most accomplished tantric masters of his generation.Geshe Kelsang served as the Head Chanting Master of Gaden Shartse Monastery for 8 years, earning deep respect for his profound chanting abilities and ritual precision. Now serving as the Ritual Master of the Phukhang Tour, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso brings decades of experience, spiritual insight, and liturgical mastery to audiences worldwide. He continues to be a senior teacher and spiritual guide, devoted to preserving and transmitting the authentic teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.
Venerable Jampa Tsultrim – Mandala and Chanting Master Born in 1980 in the De-rong District of Tibet, he attended primary school up to the 4th grade. At the age of 13, he joined Nang-sang Monastery, where he received novice monk vows from Shoue-pa Rinpoche and continued his studies in Buddhist texts and cultural traditions. In 2005, at the age of 25, he fled Tibet and joined Gaden Shartse Monastery in South India. In 2009, at the age of 29, he received full ordination as a monk from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. From 2005 to 2020, he dedicated 15 years to studying Buddhist philosophy, including Epistemology and the Five Great Treatises (Pramana, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, and Vinaya), while also engaging in various spiritual practices. He successfully completed the full monastic course of education. From 2013 to 2019, he served as the Chant Master of Gaden Shartse Phukhang Khangtsen for six years.
Venerable Dakpa Lobsang – Torma (Butter Sculpture) Born in Tibet in 1985, he began his education at the age of 11 at the primary school in Pe-do town, De-rong district. At the age of 17, he joined Nang-sang Monastery, where he studied Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist cultural traditions. At 18, he received his novice monk vows from Shoue-pa Rinpoche. In 2006, at the age of 21, he fled Tibet and joined Gaden Shartse Monastery in South India. At 24, he received full ordination as a monk from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. From 2006 to 2020, he dedicated 14 years to the intensive study of Buddhist philosophy, including the five major treatises: Pramana (Logic and Epistemology), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamaka (Middle Way), Abhidharma (Phenomenology), and Vinaya (Monastic Discipline), along with other spiritual practices. He successfully completed the full course of traditional monastic education.
Wendy Wood, PhD (Lobsang Dolma) – Tour Organizer Wendy is an international consultant, conflict engagement professional, mediator, social scientist, and co-author of Do No Harm – Mindful Engagement for a World in Crisis 2021. She leads efforts with a range of organizations, communities and individuals in the areas of social, political, and environmental impact, public policy, and disaster relief and adaptation. Wendy specializes in resolving and transforming complex high conflict multi-party disputes, dialogue and facilitation, personal and professional coaching, and mediation. Wendy holds a doctorate in Human Science and studies Buddhist Psychology. For the past 20 years, Wendy has volunteered her time supporting tours, teachings, and other Tibetan Buddhist efforts with Gaden Shartse Monastic College in Mungod, India – a prominent Tibetan Monastery at the forefront of Tibetan monastic education in the Gelug tradition of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. wendy@thekarunacenter.org
Joe Benson – Site & Transportation Coordinator Joe is a teacher, farmer, DJ, botanist and record collector based in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed a year-long residency at Big Muddy Urban Farm and as a fellow with the Center for Rural Affairs in collaboration with the State of Nebraska. During this fellowship, he explored various conservation practices and chose to focus on Hugelkultur, a sustainable gardening technique. Joe has started his own businesses with vinyl record sales and teaching prairie restoration and woodwork techniques. He is committed to sharing different cultural and learning styles, as well as lifelong learning. Joe has served as the driver for three previous tours with Gaden Shartse Monastic College and Phukhang Khangsten.