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Geshe Ngawang Sangye with Gonpo Ludup Study Group, Laguna Beach, California, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Andrew Schrage, marketing coordinator, Gonpo Ludup Study Group in Laguna Beach, California, US, shared this story about FPMT touring teacher Geshe Ngawang Sangye’s visits to their study group:
Geshe Ngawang Sangye came to Orange County, California, to take an intensive English language speaking course at the University of California, Irvine. The Gonpo Ludup Study Group was therefore fortunate to have him accept our invitation to visit and teach us “Tools for Happiness” every Tuesday evening from May 22 through June 12, 2018.
A student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery, Geshe Sangye has been a monk since he was nine years old. He recently received his geshe degree from Sera Je Monastery.
From 2007-2017, Geshe Sangye worked for the Sera Je Food Fund, which was an FPMT charitable project that provided nearly 3,000 meals each day for the Sera Je monks. In addition, he organizes pujas for the FPMT organization, works as FPMT International Office’s new geshe coordinator, and manages a variety of other projects in Tibetan settlements in South India. Geshe Sangye also serves as director of a school for young Sera Je monks with a modern curriculum.
Geshe Ngawang Sange, Ven. Robina Courtin, and Carly and Andrew Schrage. Ven. Robina was in town at the same time to help greet Geshe Sangye, Laguna Beach, CA, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Geshe Sangye told us, “I am very happy to be here in the United States and to get the chance to study at the University of California, Irvine, while exploring the American lifestyle and learning about the differences of the education system.”
Gonpo Ludup Study Group Coordinator Kate Macdonald said, “Meeting Geshe Sangye and receiving teachings from him has been incredibly precious. He’s very down to earth and easy to talk to. And you can feel his big heart and devotion to Lama Zopa Rinpoche.”
Geshe Ngawang Sangye teaching at Gonpo Ludup Study Group, Laguna Beach, CA, US, May 2018. Photo courtesy of Gonpo Ludup Study Group.
Amanda Proud, one of the Gonpo Ludup organizers, said, “Geshe Sangye leads with a personal story, so each person can likewise consider a time when they may have had a similar feeling, and how those feels can generate a thought pattern that leads to unhappiness. I appreciate his very humble, personal approach to sharing the Dharma.”
After attending the teachings, Carly Schrage said, “Geshe Sangye really has a way of explaining concepts that makes you examine them with fresh eyes.”
In discussing his teachings on “Tools for Happiness,” Geshe Sangye said, “I am honored to share something that I learned from my monastic life with Gonpo Ludup Study Group. I’m enjoying my time with the group and hoping I can benefit more in coming weeks.”
To learn more about Gonpo Ludup Study Group visit their website:
https://gonpoludup.org
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation, and community service.