Venerable Achok Rinpoche
Ven. Achok Rinpoche was born in Eastern India. Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the achok Rinpoche of Lithang, eastern Tibet. He was received at Sera Mey Monastery and began preliminary training such as the memorization of ritual tests, sutras, and other trainings until the age of ten.
From his eleventh year, Rinpoche began his formal training in Buddhist philosophical studies (the five treatises of Buddhist philosophy) including dialectics, the Prajñāpāramitā classics and their commentaries and oral transmissions traditions, the Madhyamaka philosophy, Abhidharma, Pramana, and Vinya. All based on the works of Nāgārjuna, Lama Tsongkapa and three main disciples. Under the personal guidance of his spirtual master, Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche, his studies were enriched with private instruction in related areas of Buddhist practice.
In 1997, at the age of 20, Achok Rinpoche sat for the examinations of the Gelupa at Ganden Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Drepong Monastery. In 1998, he obtained the Geshe Lharampa degree with the highest honor outside Tibet.
Rinpoche has been teaching in this country since 2003 and gives teachings.
