Our Sangha
Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley
Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley, fondly known as Geshe-la, is Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling’s resident spiritual teacher.
Geshe-la is a highly skilled teacher who has attained the highest level of education in the Tibetan monastic system. Geshe-la was born in the Kham Province of eastern Tibet in 1941. When he was seven he was enrolled in the Dhargyey Monastery to begin his studies. In 1957 he went to the great Monastic University of Sera, near Lhasa, which was a 3-month walk at the time.
In 1959, at the Norbu Lingka Palace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he took novice monks’ vows from the incomparably kind Kyabje Trijang Dorje Cjang and continued studying. However, he had to then leave immediately due to the military action by the Communist Chinese.
With many others, Geshe-la fled to India and Buxa, where three monasteries had been set up and he was able to continue his studies, in Madhyaaka, Prajnyaparamita and Pamana. He remained there for ten years until 1969 when, in accordance with His Holiness’s wishes, he moved to South India to help build the new Sera Monastery, though for three years there was little opportunity to study until the new Sera had been completed. In 1973 he began studying until 1985, when he entered the Lharam class, the highest class in the monastery. He was awarded First Class in the 1989 examinations. He then sat through final Geshe debates before the whole monastery, attaining his Geshe degree in 1990.
From 1991, he taught logic and Buddhist philosophy and practice to the monks at Sera Je School. At the same time he looked after the needs of 80 students in his house at the monastery to ensure they had shelter, adequate food and health, and to advise them on conduct.
“In 1998 I had the good fortune to be able to go to Tibet and visit my home country and Dhargyey Monastery, as well as other places of pilgrimage.”
Upon returning back to Sera Monastery, Geshe-la received the invitation to come to New Zealand.
It has been the Centre’s great privilege to have been under Geshe-la’s wisdom, compassion and guidance since October 1999.
Geshe-la’s teachings, which are open to all, offer wonderful insights, advice and practical methods on how to deal with issues of daily life with tools to overcome challenges and develop a kind, patient and compassionate mind and heart.
Ven. Karma Gyasey
Ven. Karma Gyasey
Background and Journey:
Karma was born in 1971 in Kham, Tibet. He is the oldest of five children, which meant that from a very young age he had many responsibilities in the home. Karma was destined to become his father’s successor. When Karma was 14 years old and his father was away, his mother (who had a great desire for Karma to become a Monk) and aunty took the opportunity to send him to India to study in the monastery. Karma and three other people tried to escape to Nepal by hiking through the Snow Mountains for many days. Unfortunately, they didn’t succeed. On their second attempt, they hid in the back of a big truck (paying the driver for their passage). This trip was successful. Arriving in Nepal they were helped by the Tibetan Refugee Organisation. After a short stay, Karma continued travelling to reach Sera Monastery in South India. Here he was received by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and chose to become ordained in 1989. Karma continued his study at Sera Monastery, gaining certificates in Advanced Buddhist Studies, in 1998 after 7 years study and in 2002 after 4 years study. In June 2003 Karma came to New Zealand to become Geshe Sangey Thinley’s attendant. He now has New Zealand Citizenship.
Arrival in New Zealand and Community Role:
In June 2003, Karma arrived in New Zealand to serve as the attendant to Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley. As an ordained monk, he quickly became an essential figure in Whangarei, providing guidance, support, and teachings on Tibetan Buddhism. Now a New Zealand citizen, Karma leads meditation sessions and facilitates informal discussions on Buddhist philosophy, offering practical advice on integrating mindfulness into daily life. As both an attendant and interpreter for Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley, Karma ensures that Geshe-la’s teachings are accessible to all, effectively connecting the traditional Tibetan teachings with the local community.
Connecting the Community with His Teacher:
Karma plays a crucial role in bridging the wisdom of his teacher, Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley, with the Whangarei community. Through his dedicated work, he provides a compassionate and accessible link between the monastery’s teachings and the needs of those seeking spiritual guidance.
Creative and Cultural Contributions:
Karma is an expert in the sacred Tibetan Buddhist art of creating sand mandalas, sharing this intricate tradition both locally and internationally in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Taiwan. This artistic expression helps spread the beauty and symbolism of Tibetan Buddhism, connecting people to its profound meaning.
Involvement at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling:
Karma’s contributions to Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling are multifaceted. In addition to his teaching roles, he actively participates in the center’s events and activities, offering invaluable support to both new and experienced practitioners. Karma is also a familiar face at the Himalayan Trading Post, where he engages with community members, sharing insights into Buddhism and connecting with those interested in the teachings.
A Guiding Presence:
Whether interpreting Geshe-la’s teachings, guiding meditation classes, or working at the Himalayan Trading Post, Karma Gyasey embodies the principles of kindness, wisdom, and compassion, making him an indispensable part of the spiritual community in Whangarei and beyond.
Ven. Nyima Gyaltsen
Ven. Nyima Gyaltsen was born in Dhargyey, which is part of Kham in eastern Tibet. He lived at home with his parents until he was fourteen, and then entered the school belonging to Dhargyey Monastery as a boarder. He studied logic and received teaching on the stages of the path to enlightenment. At eighteen he received permission from his parents to travel to India in order to become a monk in Sera Monastery. With no travel permit, he risked imprisonment if he was caught. Together with twenty-five others he made his way to Lhasa by truck. They then traveled on another truck until they reached a place called Lhatse, from where they had to cross the Himalayas on foot with the help of two guides they had hired. They reached Nepal safely and in November 1991 Nyima entered the Trehor Regional College, a part of Sera Je at Sera Monastery in South India. From 1991 until 1997 he followed the curriculum of monastic studies there. In 1997 he went to Dharamsala, the seat-in-exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to take care of the Ven. Geshe Sonam Rinchen. In the same year he began his studies to become a thangka painter. The course of studies that Nyima Gyaltsen followed lasted for six years. Since qualifying Nyima has completed more than thirty thangkas, including some very large ones. These are now in various collections around the world. In 2004 he accompanied Geshe Sonam Rinchen on a tour of Australia and New Zealand. During this time he taught several workshops on thangka painting and also demonstrated the art of thangka painting in the Auckland Museum. He made three further visits to New Zealand following that. After the passing of Geshe Sonam Rinchen, Nyima requested to come to New Zealand and has been with us at the centre, teaching and painting Thangka since 2015.