Acharya Geshe Jampa
Gyatso
Geshe Jampa Gyatso has been resident teacher
at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute since 1980.
He is holder of the Lharam Geshe degree
from Sera Je Monastery, the Ngagram Geshe
degree from Gyu Me Tantric College, and
the Acharya degree from the Sanskrit University
of Varanasi. He was a classmate and close
friend of Lama Thubten Yeshe, who founded
the FPMT. Geshe-la has taught numerous short
and long courses, both at the Institute
and in other Dharma centers in Italy, Spain,
and England, and acts as abbot of Nalanda
Monastery in France, Takden Shedrup Targye
Ling Monastery, and Shenphen Samten Ling
Nunnery at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute. In
addition, he has been the principal tutor
of the forerunner of the Masters Program,
held at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa from 1983
to 1997, and the seven-year Masters Program,
held from January 1998 to December 2004.
As well as being a formidable scholar, Geshe
Jampa Gyatso is highly regarded by his students
for his practical advice, warm humor, and
boundless concern for their well-being.
Geshe-la will teach the lam-rim and lo-jong
texts that form the “heart”
of the Institute’s Basic Program,
as well as the text on tantra.
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Geshe Tenzin Tenphel
In addition to assisting with the teaching
of supplementary subjects during the 1998-2004
Masters Program, Geshe Tenzin Tenphel has
been teaching at the FPMT centers in Italy
as well as at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute,
where he has resided since 1998. He holds
the Lharam Geshe degree from Sera Je Monastery
and studied at Gyu To Tantric College. Geshe
Tenphel is particularly appreciated for
his clear explanations, his keen interest
in debate, and his sense of humor, qualities
that have endeared him to many Western disciples.
He will teach the philosophical texts in
the Basic Program, which are a constant
source of enthusiasm for his sharp analytical
mind.
Past resident teachers
The Institute’s first resident teacher
was Geshe Yeshe Tobten. Geshe-la spent many
years in retreat in the hills above Dharamsala,
coming to Pomaia as a teacher in 1979 at
the request of Lama Yeshe and with the blessings
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He remained
as teacher until 1980, subsequently returning
every two years to give teachings to his
many disciples, until his passing away in
1999. Upon passing away, his body is said
to have remained in the meditative posture
without any signs of decomposing for 12
days, an indication of his profound realization
of the Dharma.
Of the many lamas who have taught in and
blessed Pomaia over the years, much gratitude
is also due to Geshe Jampel Senge, who often
came from Rome in the initial years of the
Institute to teach and support the community.
