Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche – Visionary Leader & Director
Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche serves as the current head of Dundul Raptenling Monastery and one of the founding directors of the 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 wellbeing of hundreds of monastics and lay practitioners.
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. These include Kyabje Dungse Garab Rinpoche, Kyabje Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche, and Kyabje Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche, among others.
Since taking full responsibility for Dundul Raptenling Monastery in 2010, Lama Sonam has transformed the monastery into a flourishing seat of learning and practice. Under his leadership, the monastery has welcomed over 100 young monks—many from humble backgrounds or families devoted to the Dharma—and provided them with a place in the monastery's 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 the Zangdok Palri, modeled after Guru Rinpoche’s pure land. Now over 50% complete, this temple will serve as a global spiritual center and refuge for Dharma practitioners. He also oversees the construction of classrooms, libraries, and housing to create a fully self-sustaining learning environment.
Lama Sonam’s mission goes beyond brick and mortar. He regularly organizes empowerment events, mandrup drupchens, cham (lama dance) programs, and education in both ritual and philosophy. He has published and preserved numerous Dudjom Tersar texts and led large-scale events across India, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Europe, USA and Canada to promote the living practice of Chöd and Troma Nagmo.
Through the 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. With unshakable devotion to his teachers and a heart full of service, he continues to uplift the Dharma through action, transmission, and vision.