President
Lopen Drukdra Gyamtsho was born on 1st January 1958 and commenced monastic education from an early age under the tutelage of numerous highly revered Lams and Lopens. At the age of 20, Lopen Drukdra completed Buddhist philosophical studies from Tango Shedra and further pursued hearing and contemplations on sutra and mantra teachings at the Chodrak Goenpa in Bumthang. Lopen Drukdra received complete teachings starting from preliminary practices (Ngondro) till the teachings on practice of Dzogchen from the 68th Je Khenpo HH Tenzin Dhondup. He also had the privilege of receiving teachings, blessings and initiations from Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Drupwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche and the 69th Je Khenpo HH Gedun Rinchen. Lopen Drukdra completed the three years’ of strict meditation practice by the age of thirty-eight. Lopen Drukdra served as a teacher and the head teacher of Gangteng Dho-Ngag-Thuesum-Rabgayling shedra. Furthermore, while shouldering the key responsibility of the Retreat Master at Kunzangchholing Drubdhey, Lopen Drukdra also served as the Chant Master(Umze) and the Vajra Master(Dorji Lopen) for the past 18 years. He still continues to serve as the Retreat Master at the center and its subsidiaries.