Choje Lama Rabsang

Lama Rabsang  was born in 1971 in a small remote village beside Drugon Monastery to a

family of farmers. He took robes when he was eleven years old, inspired by his uncle’s example in meditation and realization. Lama Rabsang spent his early years studying under the direction of his uncle.

He made the arduous journey to Palpung Sherabling, India, in 1990 where he was able to continue his Buddhist studies. Since his deep wish from early childhood was to learn to meditate, he finally was able to enter the traditional three-year retreat. After successful completion of that three-year retreat, he wished to continue to do personal retreat. He spent nearly a year doing his own retreat until he was appointed as a discipline master of Palpung Sherabling Monastery, in which post he served for the next four years.

Lama Rabsang was invited to visit the UK and from 2001-2004 he attended a language school in Birmingham, to learn English language and culture. In 2001 he returned to his

home for the first time in over a decade for an emotional reunion with his family and the monastic community there. In July 2004, at the request of his students, the Chamgon Tai Situpa appointed Lama Rabsang resident teacher at the newly founded Palpung Changchub Dargyeling in the UK, giving him the title Choje, or Holder of the Dharma. The Centre was initially located in Llandridod Wells, moving to Cardiff in 2007, before settling in Brynmawr in 2009.

Lama Rabsang keeps busy, working to establish the pure Palpung traditions in Europe. He travels and teaches in many places within the UK. He also regularly travels to three sites in Finland. Lama Rabsang leads prayers, runs classes and pujas, teaches meditation and Buddhist thought at the Brynmawr centre. He serves as a school chaplain in the local college, Coleg Gwent, teaching there about meditation and kindness and explaining Buddhist view on life to young students as well as teachers. He gives presentations on Buddhism to student groups who visit the Centre. Lama Rabsang also offers public teachings on request and of course gives advice for individuals seeking help with their practice or difficult situations in their lives. His warmth and radiant joyfulness, as well as deep experience and understanding in meditation and the essence of Buddhism, has enabled numerous people to understand what Dharma is in action.