Biography of the Founder-Director / Chief Abbot

Venerable Khenpo Tenzin Sangpo was born in Mustang, Nepal, and entered the historic 600-year-old Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery at the age of seven, where he began his Buddhist education. After completing his early studies in Mustang, he continued his higher monastic education at Ngor Ewam Chodan Monastery in Dehradun, India, and later studied at Sakya College, graduating after eight years of rigorous training.

In 2001, he was appointed as the first Khenpo (Abbot) of Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling Monastery by His Holiness Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche during His Holiness’s historic first visit to Mustang. He received extensive training in Buddhist philosophy and Vajrayana practice from many of the most eminent masters of the Sakya tradition, including Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, and Luding Khenchen Rinpoche.

Since assuming leadership of Kag Chode Monastery, Khenpo has worked tirelessly to revive monastic education and strengthen the Sangha community in Mustang. He founded the Kag Chode Monastic School, established a winter school in Pokhara, and played a leading role in the construction of a new monastery and other educational facilities.

A founding member and current President of the Mustang Sakya Buddhist Association, Khenpo has also been instrumental in launching and developing the Mustang Buddhist College, an institution dedicated to higher Buddhist education for monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in Mustang.

Today, Khenpo Tenzin Sangpo continues to divide his time between teaching, spiritual leadership, community service, and advancing educational initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the precious Buddhist traditions of Mustang for future generations.