Geshe Jampa Tharchin gives us a brief account of his life –
“I was born on 15thJune 1969 in Pempo an area about one hours drive from Lhasa in Tibet.
My father was Tashi Dorjee and my mother was Lhato. My fathers household line was called Khatse Gyelwo Nang, and they had 5 children four boys and one girl, I was the third born. From the age of five I went to a local school up to the 7thand last class. After that I helped teach the class for 3 years. I then worked at home for 2 to 3 years and studied Dharma on my own, while looking after my sick mother.
In 1989 I arrived in India, first at Dharamsala to meet His Holiness, and entered Sera Je Monastery at age 21, and took rabjung which are the vows of entering into monastic life. In 1990 I took novice monk vows in Dharamsala with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and then in 1991 I took my vows of full ordination as a monk from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
I studied at Sera Je for 15 years covering all required texts, the main five texts. After that for 6 years I studied for the Geluk exams which are needed to obtain a Geshe Degree. I took my Geshe exams on 30 December 2009 passing with the highest level as a Lharampa Geshe (PhD).
After that I attended Gyume Tantric college for one year completing all required exams.
My root teacher who is kind in all three ways is His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
At Sera my main teachers who were kind in two ways of commentary and transmission were Geshe Thubten Trashi, Venerable Choden Rinpoche, Jangtse Choje Losang Tenzin and Geshe Kelsang Wangdu.
My teacher at Gyume Tantric college was Geshe Jampa Chodrok.
During my time at Sera for 5 years I was treasurer and managed the funds of my house or Hardong Kamtsen. For one year I was the leader who was responsible for the Lharampa Geshe class
For one year I was the leader responsible for the entire Llarampa class.
Last year I was teaching at the Kopan nunnery for one year in Nepal.
Coming to Chandrakirti Meditation Centre is my first visit to the western world and I am very happy to be here.”