Geshe Chonyi has been the resident teacher of Amitabha Buddhist Centre since 1999. He was born in Nepal in 1962 and was ordained by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1974.

Geshe Chonyi holds a Geshe Lharampa degree, which is the highest Tibetan Buddhist doctorate awarded to monks. The most outstanding students qualify for the Geshe Lharampa exams. To obtain a Geshe Lharampa degree, it requires a total of at least 23 years of intensive study and debate. The top scholars from the three main Gelug monasteries of Sera, Drepung and Ganden take their final major exams together.

After completing his Geshe Lharampa degree from Sera Je Monastic University, Geshe-la joined the prestigious Gyurme Tantric College for one year where he furthered his studies on Tantric Buddhism. He was awarded first position in his group for the highest Tantric Ngarampa (Master of Tantra) degree. Then, he returned to Kopan Monastery where he taught Buddhist philosophy.

With the support of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup (Abbot of Kopan Monastery), Geshe-la started teaching the Five-Year Basic Program at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Aug 2003. This is a comprehensive Buddhist study program for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Buddhadharma and enhance their daily practice.

Besides being perfectly qualified to teach such a study program, Geshe-la is also renowned for his ability in developing the students' analytical skills through discussions, debate and written assignments. Geshe-la is held in great esteem for his illustrious conduct, vast learning and great kindness.

As Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup told ABC members during his visit to Singapore in 2001, "You are very lucky to have Geshe Chonyi as your teacher. He has great knowledge, he is very humble, and he's a learned Geshe. He has very good knowledge!"

We are indeed most blessed to have such a perfectly qualified Mahayana spiritual teacher to guide us on the correct and complete path to enlightenment.
 

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