Lopön Sonam Jamtsho hails from a semi-nomadic family in the picturesque region of Bumthang, Bhutan, a place where the eminent Longchenpa resided for nearly a decade.
Surrounded by the rich tapestry of Buddhist legends featuring luminaries like Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa, and Drukpa Kuenley, he grew up in a world steeped in spirituality and natural beauty.
Longchenpa himself penned a moving ode to the people of this valley and the breathtaking landscapes that surrounded them. From Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Sonam Jamtsho received complete transmissions of Longchenpa’s works and associated empowerment. He was also advised and encouraged by Dzongsar Khyenntse Rinpoche to embark on a path dedicated to preserving and disseminating the wisdom and works of
Longchenpa.
Lopön Sonam's educational journey took him from high school in Bhutan, where he was introduced to the English language from a young age to a traditional monastic education, first in Nepal. After a decade of intensive study, he graduated with honours from the prestigious Dzongsar Shedra in India. His pursuit of knowledge was not confined to one lineage; inspired
by the life and works of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, he sought wisdom from scholars and teachers representing all denominations of Tibetan Buddhism. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate in Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at the University of Hamburg.