A living mandala of lineage and compassion

Visionary leader & director

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche serves as the current head of Dundul Raptenling Monastery and one of the founding directors of Vajra Lotus Foundation.

A devoted lineage holder, ritual master and compassionate teacher, Lama Sonam Tashi has dedicated his life to the flourishing of the Dudjom Tersar lineage, the preservation of sacred ritual arts, and the spiritual and material well-being of hundreds of monastics and lay practitioners.

Early life & training

Born in 1987 into a family of accomplished yogis and cham masters, Lama Sonam was immersed in the Dudjom Tersar tradition from an early age. He trained extensively at Dudjom monasteries in Nepal and India, and received the full empowerments, transmissions and oral instructions of the Dudjom lineage from some of the greatest masters of our time, including Kyabje Dungse Garab Rinpoche, Kyabje Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche and Kyabje Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche.

Leading Dundul Raptenling

Since taking full responsibility for Dundul Raptenling Monastery in 2010, Lama Sonam has transformed it into a flourishing seat of learning and practice. Under his leadership, the monastery has welcomed more than 100 young monks, many from humble backgrounds or from families devoted to the Dharma, and has given them a home in its dormitory along with education and spiritual training.

Driven by his vision to preserve and spread the Dudjom Tersar teachings for future generations, Lama Sonam initiated the construction of Zangdok Palri, modeled on Guru Rinpoche’s pure land. The temple will serve as a global spiritual center and a refuge for Dharma practitioners. He also oversees the construction of classrooms, libraries and housing to create a fully self-sustaining learning environment.

Beyond brick and mortar

He regularly organizes empowerments, mendrup drupchens, cham (sacred lama dance) programs, and training in both ritual and philosophy. He has published and preserved numerous Dudjom Tersar texts, and has led large gatherings across India, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Europe, the United States and Canada to promote the living practice of Chöd and Troma Nagmo.

With unshakable devotion to his teachers and a heart full of service, he continues to uplift the Dharma through action, transmission and vision.

Through Vajra Lotus Foundation, Lama Sonam now works to connect the global sangha with sacred projects that directly support the Dudjom lineage and its monastic community.

Read Lama Sonam’s full biography