Lama Thubten Namdrol Dorje

Lama began studying Buddhism at the age of seven to fourteen from a Thai monk, Venerable PhraMahathongkum. A year before Venerable PhraMahathongkum’s death on 8 August 1988, he predicted that in this life, Lama's teachers would be monks in red robes. Then, Tibetan Buddhism was not as widespread as it is today, and the idea of 'monks in red robes' was quite foreign. For the next two years, Lama studied Chinese Mahayana Buddhism in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. During this time, he learnt the essence of Mahayana Buddhism as interpreted in different cultures.

In 1989, at the age of fifteen, a Buddhist master appeared in Lama’s dreams and instructed him to fulfill the vows of his previous life which was to teach those who did not have teachers. Following the instructions in his dreams, he was brought to Nepal by Venerable Sangye Khandro. Upon his arrival, Lama first met Lumbum Rinpoche in Swayambhunath (aka Monkey Temple) and made light offerings at the temple. At the time, Rinpoche told him, “We have been waiting for you”. It was later revealed that the Buddhist master who had first appeared in Lama's dream was in fact the great Buddhist saint, Guru Rinpoche.

 

At Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Lama met Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lama Lhundrup Rigsel, the abbot of Kopan Monastery, and Geshe Lama Konchog, both of whom became his root gurus. Together with other monks in Kopan, Lama studied philosophy and tenets of the Gelugpa tradition from Geshe Lama Lhundrup. Geshe Lama Konchog taught him tantric practices but Geshela emphasized the importance of actual Dharma practice over rituals. Lama Zopa Rinpoche is also one of his teachers who kindly refer to Lama as ‘Rinpoche’ even though he has no interest in being officially recognised as a tulku, or reincarnate Lama. Lama’s main focus was to propagate the Buddhadharma to benefit all sentient beings.
  Lama Thubten Namdrol Dorje and Lim Yong Kang with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on 29 April 2001 after an audience with students from Thekchen Choling (Singapore)


Lama was advised by his Gurus that he could benefit more people if he did not to take monastic vows and remain a lay practitioner. So he was ordained as a Ngakpa (lay) Lama and is now married. Trained as a chef and owner of a popular restaurant, Lama was advised by his gurus in 1998 to give up the business and instead focus on spreading the Dharma. Geshe Lama Konchog also entrusted him with the task of setting up a Tibetan lay monastery of the Gelugpa tradition with the mission to change the existing mindset of people - that one needs to be a monk or nun to practice Buddhism. Heeding his teachers’ advice, Lama closed his restaurant business and in 2001, formally registered the temple ‘Thekchen Choling’ - a name meaning Mahayana Buddhist Temple, bestowed by Geshe Lama Konchog.

Geshe Lama Konchog, in composing his long life prayer referred to him in this way :

Geshe Lama Konchog was a great mahasiddha and has now reincarnated as Tenzin Phuntsok Rinpoche. For Geshe-la to have composed this, provides us with great confidence in our Lama, substantiated with our own experiences.

As a lay Lama, Lama's personal life experiences allow him to relate to and offer incisive insights to those who seek his counsel for problems they encounter in their daily lives. Behind Lama’s unassuming demeanour is a highly accomplished lay practitioner who is well-versed with the three vehicles of Buddhism - the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

While remaining true to the traditional teachings of Buddhism, Lama is very modern in his outlook. He teaches the Buddhadharma, in English and Chinese, not just by scholarly discourse but by turning everyday experience into Dharma exercises, transforming minds and making this age-old spiritual tradition come alive. It remains his objective to educate people of all ages, races and religions on the dynamism of Buddhism and its relevance to modern day living. Today, Lama serves as the resident Spiritual Director of Thekchen Choling (Singapore).
Long Life Prayer for Our Guru, Lama Thubten Namdrol Dorje...