User:Sonam Tenphel

Ven Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was born at Rekhe in Kham in 1974 and started schooling when he was seven years old. At the age of 13, he joined Nari Tashi Choeling monastery and studied preliminary Buddhist teachings, meditation and rituals.

He fled to India in 1993 and received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Later, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (Shedra) of Namdroling monastery, located in Bylakuppe, South India. He received Higher Secondary Degree, Bachelor Degree and Master of Buddhist philosophy in Buddhist sutras and tantras from the institute.

After completing his intensive Buddhist studies in 2003, he was appointed as a disciplinarian at Namdroling monastery by Kyabje Drubwang Penor Rinpoche. He served as a disciplinarian for three years before becoming a member of the 14th TPiE from 2006-2011. He was honoured with Doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy (equivalent to Ph. D) in 2011.

He is the former Deputy Speaker of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. He was earlier elected to the 14th and 15th TPiE.