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Biography Acharya Lama Gursam
Biography Acharya Lama Gursam At the age of six, Lama Gursam entered Drikung Kagyu Monastery in
Tso Pema, India, where he completed his basic education and studied Buddhist philosophy, practice, ritual and conduct.
In 1981 he began his college education at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (university) in Sarnath,
Varanasi, India. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1988 in the Sanskrit, Hindi, Tibetan and English languages
and in Buddhist philosophy.
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HUNG ~ OM MANI PADME HUNG ~ OM MANI PADME HUNG ~ May all sentient beings, benefit.
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Pursuing graduate study at the university, he was President of the student union, and served two years as a Kagyu
committee member. In 1990 he received his Master's degree in advanced Buddhist philosophy. Upon graduation he also
received a special award from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
After graduation, Lama Gursam was requested by His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche to come to the Drikung Kagyu
Institute in Dehra Dun, India. There he served as a volunteer for five years, teaching Tibetan language and Buddhist
philosophy and history. He also held the posts of Instructor, Head of Examinations and Assistant Director while
serving as Secretary to his Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the head of the Drikung kagyu lineage of Tibetan
Buddhism. During this time, he accomplished a one-year meditation retreat and received Dzogchen teachings and empowerments
from Khenchen Thupten Rinpoche along with various other lamas of the Nyingma lineage.
In 1995, Lama Gursam was sent by His Holiness to the United states, where he taught Buddhist philosophy for five
years. There he met His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, whom he considers to be the second Milarepa. Under His Eminence's
guidance, together with the Venerable Traga Rinpoche, in 2002 he completed a traditional three-year retreat in
the United States practicing Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. After a nationwide teaching tour, he traveled
to India, Nepal and the border of Tibet, where he completed a six-month retreat in the cave of Milarepa at Lapchi.
In 2005 Lama Gursam led a group of Western students on pilgrimage to the sacred sites of the Buddha in India. He
then accomplished more retreat in northern India, and made his first pilgrimage into Tibet where he had retreat
at Lho Lungkar Gon, monastery of Lho Böngtül Tendzin Nyima Rinpoche. He returns to his students in the
U.S. for another Teaching Tour, and recently, guided a group of Dharma students on Pilgrimage to the Buddha's Sacred Sites
in India in February, 2008.
