Land of Compassion Buddha (USA)

Welcome to Land of Compassion Buddha

Started in 1994, Land of Compassion Buddha is a Tibetan Buddhist center within the Gelugpa lineage. Directed by Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tsephel, it is located on the outskirts of Los Angeles (about 22 miles from downtown L.A.) in the quiet suburb of West Covina, California.

The center offers a varied schedule of events throughout the year including classes, empowerments, commentaries, pujas, and practice sessions. The schedule varies from year to year, however the center maintains regular programs taught by other resident teachers during Khensur Rinpoche's absence. Land of Compassion Buddha is a multi-cultural center with teachings presented in Tibetan and translated into English and Chinese. Guru Puja which is offered twice monthly is practiced in three languages, as is Nyung-Ne.

Everyone is welcome to call the center, arrange an appointment, and come to visit. Our center welcomes students and practitioners from all cultures and backgrounds. Please feel free to call and talk with any of the students who work at the center or to set up an appointment to meet with our most kind teachers. Telephone: (626) 339-3709

Land of Compassion Buddha relies on donations to provide free Dharma courses to all. If you would like to support our activities, please go to the donate page for more information at http://compassionbuddha.org/donate.html

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR: Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel

Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel, the spiritual director of Land of Compassion Buddha, was born in Litang, Tibet in 1931. At the age of five, he began on his own initiative to wear the maroon robes of a monk. He formally entered Litang Monastery at the age of nine. Then subsequently entered Gaden Jangste Monastery and after 20 years of studying and practicing Sutrayana and Tantrayana, Rinpoche was awarded the degree of Lharampa Geshe in 1976. In 1992, he was awarded the degree of Ngarampa Geshe from Gaden Monastery. He taught at Namgyal Monastery, Nechung Monastery, and the Tibetan Library in Dharamsala. Rinpoche was appointed by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama as the abbot of Gaden Jangtse Monastery in 2001 and after serving the monastery for 7 years, he completed his tenor as the Abbot of Gaden Jangtse Monastery in June of 2008.

GUEST TEACHER: Thupten Tulku Rinpoche

Thupten Rinpoche, born in Sikkim, India in 1958 became a monk at Gaden Jangste Monastery at the age of eleven. He took his full ordination vows in 1977. Growing up in the monastery in south India, Rinpoche received the traditional Tibetan monastic training in Buddhist philosophy, religious rituals, and chanting. He received teachings, initiations, and personal guidance in both sutra and tantra from many highly realized lamas including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Trijang Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, and Zong Rinpoche. He was awarded his Geshe degree in 1992. Under the direction of his teacher, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel, Thupten Rinpoche, the senior Tulku at Gaden Jangste, was the main project supervisor for the rebuilding of Gaden Jangtse Monastery. In 2006 Rinpoche undertook a 108 Nyung Ne retreat which lasted 7 months. Rinpoche has performed more than 250 Nyung Ne retreats so far, leading monks and laypeople in this beneficial practice. In 2009, Thupten Rinpoche founded Chokhor Gepel Ling, a Tibetan Buddhist Center in the Gelug tradition.

GUEST TEACHER: Geshe Tenzin Chophel Rinpoche

Geshe Chophel Rinpoche was born in 1981. Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of precious Master Lobsang Jampa Tenzin of of Sok Lok, Litang. Rinpoche entered Gaden Jangtse Monastery at the age of 9. In 2010 he received a Geshe Lharampa Degree and then joined Gyumed Tantric University and successfully completed the examinations with distinction. Rinpoche studied and trained in the Sutras and four classes of Tantras and has also mastered various Buddhist rituals.

RESIDENT TEACHER: Geshe Thupten Jangchu

Geshe Jangchu was born in 1962 in Litang, Tibet and took his novice monk vows at the age of 16. He escaped to India when he was 22 and two years later took full Bhiksu Ordination vows from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. After many years of rigorous studies and training at Gaden Jangtse Monastery, he was awarded a Geshe Tsorampa degree in 2005. Additionally, while a resident at the Monastery, he taught Tibetan language and Buddhist classes to visiting foreign monks and nuns. Since 2001, Geshe-la has served as Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel's personal assistant, a position he still holds today.

Gelug Tradition

Gelug is one of the principal schools of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded by Je Tsongkhapa in the 14th century. Lama Tsongkhapa established Gaden monastery which consisted of two principal colleges, Jangtse and Shartse, meaning North Peak and East Peak respectively.

Today, the most well known lineage holder of the Gelug tradition is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are considered the manifestations of the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion - Chenrezig, who chose to reincarnate to serve all sentient beings . Khensur Rinpoche encourages all his students to study the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

One of the central teachings of the Gelug is Lamrim Chenmo (The Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path) based on the teachings on the cultivation of the mind of enlightenment and the view of emptiness by Indian master Atisha. This is combined with the yogas of the deity practices of Guhyasamaja, Heruka Cakrasamvara, Yamantaka, and Kalachakra to cultivate the direct experience of the union of bliss and emptiness.