Biography
Venerable Geshe Sangey Thinley, fondly known as Geshe-la, is Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling’s resident spiritual teacher and a highly trained master of the Tibetan monastic tradition.
Geshe-la was born in Kham in eastern Tibet in 1941, entered Dhargyey Monastery at seven, continued his studies at Sera Monastery, fled to India in 1959, and attained his Geshe degree in 1990 before teaching at Sera Je.
He has guided the centre since October 1999, offering traditional Buddhist teachings and practical spiritual advice with warmth and care.
Teaching Focus
- Buddhist philosophy
- Compassion in daily life
- Classical Tibetan texts
From the Centre Archives
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.
Original Sangha account