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Tenzin Ösel Hita
News • Photos • Videos • Talks • Big Love Fund
Osel during Long Life Puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, September 29, 2013. Land of Medicine Buddha, CA. Photo by Chris Majors.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Osel in Bodhgaya, January 2017.
The person recognized as the incarnation of FPMT’s founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, was in his early life known as Lama Ösel. Today he prefers to be called simply “Ösel.”
Who Was Lama Yeshe?
Lama Thubten Yeshe was born in Tibet in 1935. At the age of six, he entered Sera Monastic University in Tibet where he studied until 1959, when as Lama Yeshe himself has said, “In that year the Chinese kindly told us that it was time to leave Tibet and meet the outside world.” Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche met their first Western students in 1965. By 1971 they settled at Kopan, a small hamlet near Kathmandu in Nepal. In 1974, the Lamas began touring and teaching in the West, which would eventually result in The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Lama Yeshe passed away in 1984.
About Ösel
Lama Zopa Rinpoche presents young Osel to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the first time. New Delhi India, 1986 Photo by Max Redlich
In 1986, when Ösel was just over one year old, His Holiness the Dalai Lama confirmed Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s observations that Ösel, son of Lama Yeshe’s students, María Torres and Francisco Hita, was the unmistaken reincarnation of FPMT’s founder, Lama Yeshe. Ösel was enthroned in March 1987 at Tushita Retreat Center in Dharamsala, India.
In 1991, at the age of seven, Ösel began his monastic education at Sera Je Monastery in southern India where he simultaneously received private tutoring in Western subjects. He continued his studies there until 2003, when he relocated to Victoria, British Columbia, to engage in a traditional Western education.
From 2004 to 2010, Ösel pursued many creative interests while living around Europe, including a Master’s Degree in documentary film-making and completing two cooking courses. Additionally, he blossomed as a musician during this time.
In May 2010, Ösel was on the FPMT board of directors and attended his first meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. When possible Osel spends time at various FPMT centers offering talks.
Over the last few years Ösel has been studying in the USA and is now back living in Spain. He has recently given talks in India, Nepal, Singapore, and Malaysia. He led pilgrimage in India and Nepal in 2015 and organized a charitable organization to help provide relief and rebuild Nepal following the April 2015 earthquake.
While leading the 2015 pilgrimage in India and Nepal, the group visited Tushita Meditation Centre and Ösel was kind enough to give a talk about his life, his experiences, and some lessons he has learned along his path.
Latest News
Tenzin Ösel Hita’s 2017 European Tour [Video]
During the first three months of 2017, Tenzin Ösel Hita, the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe, toured European FPMT centers giving talks to hundreds of eager students. The tour began on January 25 at Maitreya Instituut Amsterdam in …
More About Ösel
Ösel at Amitabha Buddhist Center in Singapore Nov 2012. Photo by Tan Seow Kheng and Stephen Ching.
Photos of Ösel
Enjoy a photo gallery of Ösel images, shot over the years.
Videos of Ösel
A collective of videos of Ösel.
Talks and Interviews with Ösel
Audio and video of recent talks Ösel has given.
Ösel in Mandala- all Articles
A collection of articles by Mandala Publications about Ösel.
Books, Articles and Archival Footage featuring Ösel
Access numerous articles, books and older archival footage of Ösel.
Supporting Ösel
The Big Love Fund was established to provide financial resources to support the educational endeavors of Ösel. You are welcome to contribute any amount to this fund:
