Biography of the present Disciplinarian

Venerable Geshe Lobsang Dhonden was born in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India, in 1969. At the age of 6, he joined Gaden Shartse Norling College, Mundgod, South India, where he started learning the basic monastic education and later elementary dialectics and the Five Principal Subjects of Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy. He received the fully-fledged novice monk’s vows from His Eminence Kyabje Song Rinpoche at old Gaden Lachi prayer hall when he was 10 years old. At the age of 21, he received the fully ordained vow (gelong) from HH the Dalai Lama in 1990 along with many other monks. The ordination ceremony took place at the old prayer hall of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He received many precious teachings and empowerments, such as Lamrim Chenmo (the stages of the path to enlightenment), The Commentary of Guru Puja, Yamantaka empowerment, Heruka Empowerment and so forth from masters such as Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Kyabje Ling Dorje Chang, Kyabje Song Dorje Chang and Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche. After the successful completion of his studies, he was officially conferred with the Geshe Degree. Later he was elected unanimously by the monks as a new administrator of Gaden Shartse Monastery, along with nine other eligible candidates, where he served with sincerity for 6 consecutive years. He and all other administrators were allotted suitable duties for limited periods of time, with a rotation of the duties yearly. He was elected as a new disciplinarian unanimously by the monks of Shar Gaden Monastery on 7th of March 2010 and the enthronement ceremony took place in the new assembly hall.

NEW ADMINISTRATORS OF SHAR GADEN MONASTERY-2011

1) Ven Geshe Jampa la-Chief Treasurer/President

2) Ven Jampa Phuntsok-Chief Administrator/Vice-President

3) Ven Geshe Jangchup Norbu-Chief Inspector/Accountant

4) Ven Lobsang Choezin-Asst. Treasurer/G. manager

Shar Gaden Administrative Office has four administrators (chakzoe) who are elected for terms of three years by the General Board Members and resident monks of Shar Gaden. The chief administrator and three colleagues are responsible for general administration. Rest of other departments have their own management appointed by the current administrators as well as accordance with the outcome of the annual election conducted by the resident members of the monastery.

The administration seeks financial support to keep the monastic college stable and to provide daily sustenance for monks, as well as to enlarge monastic educational fields. They also have some other significant duties which include: to summon weekly, monthly and annual meetings in the presence of Ven abbot, Ven disciplinarian, Ven chant-master (uchoesum) and other members of affiliated offices and administering entire affiliated departments and receiving esteemed guests at the monastery.

Unlike other institutions, we do not receive any funds from any governmental body. The contribution of our respected benefactors and the funds raised by Shar Gaden Monks Tour Program are the mainstay of our economic status.