Khenpo Karten Rinpoche

Khenpo Karten Rinpoche was born in 1965 in Zalmogang, Nangchen, Eastern Tibet. At twelve he became a monk at Japa Monastery, mastering ritual recitations and chant melodies. At sixteen he began philosophical studies at Dege Zhechen and Dzogchen monasteries. Under Sötse Rinpoche he studied The Bodhicaryavatara, the Three Vows, and The Wish-Fulfilling Treasury. His principal teachers included his root guru Nangchen Lama Sangye Tenzin Rinpoche, Drubchen Karnor Rinpoche, Lhateng Jamo Tulku, Benchen Chimé Tulku, Nedo Khatrul Rinpoche, and others. From them he received Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva, and Tantric vows, along with extensive empowerments and transmissions from sutra, tantra, terma, and visionary lineages, including full study of the Five Great Treasuries. At twenty-one he completed a three-year, three-month retreat. At twenty-four he received Mahamudra and Dzogchen instructions from Khenchen Karma Tseten and later pursued advanced studies in sutra and tantra in the Dege region.