Khenpo Sodargye
Khenpo Sodargye (Tib. མཁན་པོ བསོད་དར་རྒྱས, Wyl. mkhan po bsod dar rgyas) was born in Drakgo in Kham, Tibet, on the fourth day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar in 1962.
Studies
After being ordained at Larung Gar Serthar Buddhist Institute in 1985, Khenpo Sodargye relied on Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche as his root guru.
After intensive study of the five principle treatises on Madhyamaka, Prajnaparamita, Abhidharma, Vinaya, and Buddhist logic, Khenpo received direct transmissions of tantric teachings such as the Dzogchen, Kalachakra, and the Web of Magical Illusion from Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and gained unshakable faith in the Omniscient Longchenpa and Mipham Rinpoche. Through his practice, he obtained supreme realization of these teachings.
After engaging in classic Tibetan Buddhist debate and undergoing oral and written examination, he obtained his “khenpo” degree. Khenpo Sodargye was then placed in charge of the institute by Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and became Kyabje’s chief translator for Chinese disciples.
Translation & Teaching Activities
In 1987, Khenpo Sodargye accompanied Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche to make a pilgrimage to the holy Wutai Mountain and began to receive Chinese disciples of the four types (monks, nuns, male and female lay practitioners).
From 1990 to 1999, he accompanied Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok to give Dharma teachings in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, United Kingdom, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan.
In 2006, Khenpo began to use modern media, such as Internet and DVD, to spread his teachings; allowing more followers to receive systematic Dharma training and benefiting a wider number of people.
In 2007, Khenpo inaugurated his charitable project, Initiation of Loving Heart, and encouraged Buddhist practitioners to cultivate loving kindness and compassion in daily life and stop ignoring the needy. As an example, he started Wisdom and Compassion Elementary Schools, the Novice Monk Schools, nursing homes, and accommodation to support the practice of senior lay practitioners. From February 2011, Khenpo has served as the Honorary Chairman of Shanghai Kindness & Wisdom Public Foundation.
Khenpo tirelessly teaches and translates the Dharma day and night. Presently, more than 100 Dharma books have been published through Khenpo’s unfaltering efforts. All his translations (from Tibetan to Chinese) are collected in the “Treasure of Sutra and Tantra”, his compositions are collected in the “Treasure of Supreme Dharma”, and his oral teachings in the “Treasure of Wisdom and Compassion.
Academic Activities
Due to his productive works, Khenpo has become acknowledged in the academic field.
In June 2010, Khenpo was invited to give teachings in prestigious Chinese universities, such as Peking University and Tsinghua University; and in March 2011, to give seminar presentations in Fudan University, Nanjing University and Renmin University of China.
In June 2011, Khenpo was invited to give presentations at Zhejiang University, Huazhong Normal University (aka: Central China Normal University), Sun Yat-sen University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
From November 2011 on, Khenpo was invited to the following universities in succession: Shanxi Normal University, Northwest University (China), Xi’an Transportation University, Shandong University, Hunan Normal University, Hong Kong Institute of Education, University of Hong Kong, Beijing Normal University, Central China University of Science and Technology and Qinghai Normal University. Both faculty and students found tremendous benefit from Khenpo’s visits.
An Influential Teacher in China
Through his activities, including Dharma translation and teaching, and running charitable organizations which provide help to the needy, Khenpo has become the most influential and acknowledged Tibetan Buddhist teacher in China.
Khenpo often inculcates his students in this way: “As long as we can benefit sentient beings, we should be willing to be their servant for millions and millions of eons, even if only one person could generate one virtuous thought through our efforts.” He also says, “I don’t know how long I can live, but as long as I can breathe, even if there was only one listener, I would try my best to benefit him with Dharma!”
Publications
In English
- Khenpo Sodargye, Achieve by Doing: stories, questions and answers - a Buddhist approach (Commoners Publishing, 2016)
- The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva Composed by Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo, Commented by Khenpo Sodargye (ebook, 2016)
- Khenpo Sodargye, Tales for Transforming Adversity: A Buddhist Lama's Advice for Life's Ups and Downs (Wisdom Publications, 2017)
- Wang Dü: The Great Cloud of Blessings, Composed by Ju Mipham Rinpoche Commented by Khenpo Sodargye (ebook, 2016)
- Khenpo Sodargye, What Makes You So Busy?: Finding Peace in the Modern World (Wisdom Publications, 2019)
- Homage and Offerings to the Sixteen Elders Composed by Pandita Shakyashri & Commented by Khenpo Sodargye (ebook, 2022)
- Khenpo Sodargye, Tibetan Buddhism: A Guide to Contemplation, Meditation, and Transforming Your Mind (Shambhala, 2024)
- Khenpo Sodargye, Footprints on the Journey: One Year Following the Path of Dzogchen Master Khenpo Sodargye (Wisdom Publications, 2024)
