Lama Tashi (a.k.a. Geshe Ngawang Tashi Bapu)
We are honored that Lama Tashi provided extensive Buddhist teachings in Autumn 2023. We look forward to welcoming him back later in the summer of 2024. More information is available on our Events Calendar and on our Special Events page. Please visit our Support & Connect With Us page to be placed on the Jefferson Tibetan Society mailing list to receive notification of these activities.
Geshe Ngawang Tashi Bapu (a.k.a. Lama Tashi) is former Principal Chant Master of Drepung Loseling Monastery, one of the largest monasteries of the Dalai Lama. In 2006, Lama Tashi was nominated for the Grammy Award for his album “Tibetan Master Chants” in the “Best Traditional World Music”. Lama Tashi has led Long Life Puja Chanting for the 14th Dalai Lama, the Eminent 99th and 100th Gaden Tripa Rinpoches and many more highly revered masters. The Long Life Puja is a very popular traditional healing ceremony that involves a multiphonic chant performance to heal the listeners and increase their life span. Lama Tashi also led the chanting performance of the Traditional Great Prayer Festival at Bodh Gaya presided over by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2002.
Lama Tashi served as the Principal and Director of the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, India from 2003-2012 and 2012-2018 respectively. While at the Institute he taught Buddhist Philosophy to University level students.
Geshe Jampel Thardo
Geshe Jampel Thardo, a Lharampa Geshe (the highest level of learning in Buddhism) from Drepung Loseling Monastery. Geshe-la, originally from Lhasa, Tibet, traveled to the United States in 1972 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to teach Buddhism. He was the resident Lama of the Jefferson Tibetan Society since 1983. He has taught numerous Americans the precious Buddhist teachings of compassion, love and wisdom. He also taught in New York, New Jersey, California and Hawaii among other locations.
Geshe-la exemplified the ideal H.H. Dalai Lama emphasizes of living a life as a simple Buddhist monk. His dedication to this ideal and profound pursuit of daily spiritual practice was a great inspiration to his students. Geshe-la taught every Wednesday evening at the Jefferson Tibetan Society Temple in Charlottesville until his passing from this world.