Khenpo Jigme

Venerable Khenpo Jigme is a senior Karma Kagyu teacher trained under Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Known for his steady clarity and deep retreat experience, he teaches Buddhist philosophy, ritual, and meditation, and guides practitioners in traditional retreat practice.

In 1980, he became the first Bhutanese monk of Thrangu Tashi Chöling Monastery (Kanglung, Bhutan), beginning formal studies in Tibetan language, scriptures, and ritual. In 1983 he moved to Thrangu Tashi Chöling in Boudhanath, Nepal, the main monastery of Thrangu Rinpoche, where he received full ordination (gelong) and continued intensive training—mastering core rituals and Tibetan grammar.

In 1989 he entered the Namo Buddha Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (Namo Buddha, Nepal) and completed the five-year shedra curriculum. In 1994 he entered the traditional three-year retreat at Namo Buddha, where the practices and meditations of the lineage are learned in full, preparing qualified practitioners to serve as lamas/teachers.

Recognizing his strength in philosophy, ritual, and meditation, Thrangu Rinpoche conferred the title Khenpo on Khenpo Jigme in 1997, appointing him a main teacher for both the Namo Buddha Institute (Nepal) and the Vajra Vidya Institute (Sarnath, India). Since then he has been among the principal faculty of these monastic colleges, teaching core Buddhist philosophy and guiding practice. He has also taught the Dharma in Malaysia.

Beginning in 2005, Khenpo Jigme expanded his work with Western students—offering translated Dharma talks and helping lead an intensive Tibetan-language program for dedicated practitioners. He now teaches and guides retreats through Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, Crestone, with a focus on clear instruction, careful pacing, and direct support for individual practice.