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Tibetan monk Geshe-La to visit Pine Island Sept. 12

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Geshe Thupten Phelgye is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism. As part of his United States tour, he will visit Pine Island on Friday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 14. On Sept. 13 he will be at Peace River Wildlife Rescue in Punta Gorda.

Geshe Phelgye was born in the Tibetan province of Kham. When he was 3, his family fled to India. At the age of 17, he became a monk at Seraje College, Sera Monastic University. After completing the traditional 18-year course of study for his Geshe degree in 1991, he received his degree in Buddhist Philosophy and went on to study at Gyumed University. Starting in 1993, he spent five years in retreat in the Dhauladhar Mountains.

Geshe Thupten Phelgye is a Tibetan Buddhist lama and former member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. He is also the founder of the Universal Compassion Foundation, an animal rights activist, a past visiting Global Scholar in residence at Gonzaga University and an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University. He has spoken at more than 100 colleges and schools across North America promoting international peace and compassion.

Geshe Phelgye is active in interfaith dialogue. With respect to the differences between Buddhism and Christianity, a student newspaper described his position as follows: “The main issue is to focus on the day-to-day practice of ‘how to be nice and how to be good… and the every-day practice to serve others.”

Buddhism is a timeless method that can be practiced by anyone in any culture, regardless of race, gender or age.

Geshe Phelgye is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people throughout the world find true happiness in their hearts.