Khenpo Phurpa Wangchuk
Khenpo Phurpa Wangchuk was born in 1975 in Achuk Tsathang, the birthplace of King Gesar in the Kham Lingtsang region (of Tibet), as the son of father Ngawang and mother Chiga.
From childhood, he studied reading, writing, rituals, and religious practices under Pejung Lama Karma Ngedon, and entered the dharma at Tsab Tsa Monastery. When he reached a suitable age, he took novice vows before Khenpo Palga of Gotsa and undertook the study of the Three Vows, the Bodhicharyavatara, and other texts. He regularly participated in the monastery's seasonal ceremonies, ritual dances, and other responsibilities at Tsab Tsa Monastery, serving as a resident.
Later, he entered his monastery's shedra, where he received empowerments and transmissions for Mahakala Bernachen and consort practice from the eighth incarnation of Tsab Tsa Drubgen, Karma Senge, as well as transmissions from Khen Kalon. That winter, he undertook a retreat focusing on Mahakala practice together with Khen Kalon and many dharma companions. He studied the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva, Bodhicharyavatara, and Maitreya's teachings under spiritual friends including Khenpo Sonam Yonten and Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen.
In 2000, he arrived in India and entered the shedra at Palpung Sherab Ling, the seat of His Holiness Jamgon Dorje Chang, Tai Situ Padma Donyo Drubpa. From 2001, he spent ten years studying under the khenpos and spiritual friends of the monastery's shedra, engaging in rigorous study of Tibetan grammar (sum-tag), collected topics (tse dhü dra), Bodhicharyavatara, the five great treatises, and the three inner tantras, while also having many opportunities to participate in scientific training and debating.
Before the incomparable guide, and through the immeasurable kindness of the lord of all mandalas, the fifth future guide manifesting in human form, the Root Guru Jamgon Chokyi Gyalpo Dorje Chang—namely His Holiness Kuntik Tai Situ Pema Donyo Nyinje—he received full ordination vows, the five treasuries, the teachings of the Shangpa lineage, the necessary empowerments for the practice group of Naropa's Six Dharmas, empowerments of the Marpa lineage tantras, empowerments of the three completely pure volumes, the extensive meditation instructions of Mahamudra Ocean of Definitive Meaning, oral instructions on the Mahamudra aspiration prayer commentary by the supreme accomplished ones, meditation instructions and transmissions of Mahamudra The Torch for the Definitive Meaning, and transmissions of Naropa's Six Dharmas, and the thousand-fold golden offerings.
He had the good fortune to receive empowerments, transmissions, instructions, and guidance from His Holiness the Great Kyabgon Gyalwang Buddha Karmapa, His Holiness Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, the venerable Lama Dampa Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Yongdzin Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Yongge Mingyur Rinpoche, Khenchen Tragyal and Tsultrim Namdak, Drigung Khenpo Nyima Gyaltsen, Geshe Norzang, and others.
In 2004, he took responsibility for the dharma discipline of the shedra. In 2008, he had the opportunity to serve as an attendant to His Holiness Gyalwang Yizhin Norbu. In 2012, he became a teacher at Tergar Monastery in Nepal. In 2014, he took on the responsibility of acting khenpo at Sherab Ling.
From His Holiness Jamgon Dorje Chang, he received the position of discipline master in 2009, Lopon in 2010, and the title of khenpo in 2013. From 2010 to the present, he has been serving as a teacher in the shedra.