About Khenmo Sonam Choenzin

Khenmo Sonam Choenzin is a remarkable practitioner, scholar, and teacher in the Drikung Kagyu tradition. She has been a practicing nun since 1995 and is currently one of only six women in the monastic lineage of the Drikung Kagyu to have received the degree and title of Khenmo — an honorific title reserved for accomplished scholars of Tibetan Buddhist Studies, bestowed upon her in 2023. Khenmo Sonam's training has been both deep and extensive. She completed her primary monastic studies and foundational studies in Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan literature, and grammar at Samtenling Nunnery in Dehradun, India. She went on to earn her undergraduate (Shastri) degree in Buddhist Studies at Kagyu College, followed what would equate to roughly two PhDs in Higher Buddhist Studies. Throughout her academic career, she also served in administrative roles, leadership positions, and as a teacher of foundational Buddhist philosophy and scripture at Samtenling Nunnery.

In 2020, Khenmo Sonam entered strict solitary meditation retreat, completing the traditional Three Year Meditation Retreat in the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra under the guidance of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche. Prior to her retreat, she also served as sacred objects curator and manager for the Private Office of His Holiness.

Khenmo Sonam brings with her a rare combination of rigorous scholarly training, deep meditative experience, and a lifelong commitment to the monastic path. We are truly grateful and fortunate to welcome a teacher of her caliber and dedication to guide our sangha together with her cousin, our beloved spiritual Director Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche. Her presence as a Resident Lama is a tremendous blessing for DNJ and a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn and grow under her guidance.

Please come and help us offer Khenmo Sonam a warm and joyful welcome as she begins this new chapter with our community. We look forward to celebrating together!