Lama Sonam
was first ordained in 1963 as a novice (Samanera Vanaratana)
by the Venerable Mahathera Saddhatissa, who was the
senior Bhikkhu in England at that time. Following two
years of intensive training in the Theravada tradition
in England, under Ven. Ananda Bodhi, he accompanied
the Bhikkhu to Toronto in 1965, and was one of the original
founding members of the Dharma Centre of Canada.
| He
travelled with the Bhikkhu, in 1968, to India, Burma,
Sri Lanka, India and finally to Sikkim, where His
Holiness the XVIth Karmapa recognised Namgyal Rinpoche.
Later, in 1971, Lama Sonam received the Mahayana
novice (Getsul) ordination from His Holiness the
16th Gyalwa Karmapa, (at the Dharmachakra Monastery
in Rumtek, Sikkim), and in 1972, the full Bhikshu
(Gelong) ordination, as the Ven. Karma Konchok Sonam
Gelong. |
|
On numerous
pilgrimages to India, Japan other Far Eastern countries
with Namgyal Rinpoche he received Transmissions and
Empowerments from H.H. the XVIth Karmapa (in Rumtek
Monastery, Sikkim), the Ven. Kalu Rinpoche, H.H. the
Dalai Lama in Dharamsala and Toronto, from H.H. Dudjom
Rinpoche in Kalimpong, H.H. the 41st Sakya Trizin (at
His Holiness' Palace at Rajpur, (near Dehra Dun), Uttar
Pradesh State, Northern India), as well as from His
Holiness' Guru, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche
and many other high lamas including H.H. Khalkha Jetsun
Dampa Rinpoche.
During
his 40 years of travel and retreat work with the Ven.
Namgyal Rinpoche, Lama Sonam has received major Reading
Transmissions and Empowerments from most of the Tibetan
Vajrayana Lineages. In 1982, Lama Sonam received lay
precepts from the Ven. Kalu Rinpoche, who named him
Sonam Gyatso, then from the Ven. Sayadaw U Thila Wunta,
and again in 1991 from the Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche.
In 1993,
during a retreat in Kinmount, Ontario, Ven. Namgyal
Rinpoche publicly recognised Lama Sonam and subsequently
authorised him to transmit the Vajrayana Empowerments.
For over 30 years, he assisted Rinpoche by translating
numerous Tibetan Wongkurs and Sadhanas, enabling Rinpoche
to transmit them to western students in English and
also the original Sanskrit. Currently based in Toronto,
Lama Sonam regularly gives teaching and empowerments
upon request, in Canada and abroad.
Composed by Lama K. Senge Gyaltsen,
Sakya Shasanadhara
in 2005 at Green River, near Markham, Ontario, Canada
