About Us
OUR TEAM
International and Eclectic
We are an eclectic group of religious and lay professionals who are bound by a deep respect for the spiritual and cultural heritage of Bhutan. Our earliest conversations about this unprecedented undertaking began over 15 years ago, around John Wehrheim’s kitchen table in Hawai‘i, where several Bhutanese monks spent time as fellows of the East-West Center. Over the years, the outlines of this project took shape and Zhung Dratshang leadership consolidated its support for an initiative that would both share Bhutan’s spiritual legacy with the world while building the infrastructure to document and archive its living masters in perpetuity.
SANGAY DORJI RINPOCHE
Project Board Chairman
MA in Buddhist Studies from Tango University, Thimphu, Bhutan / 3-Year Retreat at Cheri Meditation Center, Thimphu, Bhutan
His Eminence Sangay Dorji Rinpoche is the Letshog Lopen, or Chairman, of the Monastic Council for Administration & Development Affairs. The Letshog Lopen is one of five Lopen Lengyes who assist His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the head of the Zhung Dratshang. Each of the Lopen Lhengyes are masters in specialized religious disciplines: religious tradition, ritual services, social services, institutions for education, and administration and finance. They are the members of the Supreme Sangha Council and are conferred ranks equal to a government minister by the Bhutanese Constitution. His Eminence is also the Chairman of the special Board set up for the Bhutan Masters Project.
JOHN WEHRHEIM
Director
John Wehrheim is an award-winning American photographer, writer and filmmaker best known for his arresting portraiture and documentation of unique subjects such as the Hawai‘i hippie community “Taylor Camp” and the country of Bhutan. In 1991, John traveled to the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan as a hydropower consultant. He began to document the Bhutanese people and landscapes in his signature black-and-white style, and continued to do so on subsequent trips for the next 16 years. His documentary film “Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness” won two Northern California Area Emmy® Awards. John’s photography has been featured in solo exhibits in Hawai‘i, Prague, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Thimphu, and appeared in numerous publications around the world.
THINLEY CHODEN
Fundraising and Strategy
Thinley Choden is a social entrepreneur, strategy consultant and an educator. She worked for a number of international organizations and lived in several different countries, before establishing a successful nonprofit in 2008 followed by her impact travel company, consulting firm and other initiatives. Thinley joins this team building upon her work in the creative sector and her friendship with John Wehrheim. She worked with John on the documentary “Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness” as well as his book “Bhutan: The Hidden Lands of Happiness.” She collaborated on the Bhutanese film “Honeygiver Among the Dogs,” directed by Dechen Roder, and is an associate producer for Dechen’s second feature “I, the Song,” currently under production.
VEN. GEMBO DORJI
Advisor and Board Member
Studied at Sherubtse College, Phajodhing Shedra; Tango University; Reitaku
University (Chiba), Tokyo University; and East West Center (Hawaii) / First 3-Year Retreat at Cheri Meditation Center, Thimphu, Bhutan / 2nd 3-Year Retreat at Tokchong Mountain Retreat, Thimphu, Bhutan
Ven. Gembo Dorji is Advisor to the Zhung Dratshang Sangha of Bhutan and a board member of this project. He will assist Ven. Choten Dorji and help to coordinate the masters and project staff. He will also oversee interview transcriptions and translations.
VEN. CHOTEN DORJI
Lead Coordinator and Board Member
MA in Buddhist Studies from International Buddhist College, Thailand / PhD in Textual Studies from Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Ven. Choten Dorji is the Secretary of the Monastic Council for Administration and Development Affairs. He is the project’s lead liaison and coordinator from the Zhung Dratshang Sangha. He is also one of the Bhutan Masters project board members.
VEN. SANGAY CHOPHEL
Board Member
MA in Buddhist Studies from Tango University, Thimphu, Bhutan
Ven. Sangay Chophel is the secretary of the Monastic Endowments and Properties. He is one of the project board members and an instrumental figure bridging the Zhung Dratshang Sangha and the Bhutan Masters project.
VEN. KINLEY PENJOR
Finance Committee
Graduated from Nalanda Buddhist Institute, Punakha, Bhutan / Studied Buddhist Philosophy in Dharamsala, India / Completed Tally Course and Culture Tourist Guiding Courses
Ven. Kinley Penjor is the Project Manager of the Zhung Dratshang’s Religion & Health program. He is an experienced project coordinator and a prominent figure in linking the Sangha with the outside world. He is on the Bhutan Masters’ Finance Committee.
VEN. TANDIN WANGCHUK
Finance Committee
MA in Buddhist Studies from Sangkhor Thorim Shedra in Paro, Bhutan
Ven. Tandin Wangchuk is the Accounts Officer of the Zhung Dratshang Sangha Headquarters. Due to his experience and current position, he is appointed to the Bhutan Masters Finance Committee, and will oversee the project’s finance and record-keeping.
VEN. NAMGAY DORJI
Finance Committee
MA in Buddhist Studies from Tango University / Three-Year Retreat at Pelgiri Meditation Center, Bhutan
Ven. Namgay Dorji is Assistant Secretary of the Zhung Dratshang Monastic Endowments & Properties. He on the Finance Committee and will assist the accounts officer with maintaining the records of the project expenditures.
ABOUT THE ZHUNG DRATSHANG
Bhutan is regarded as one of the last Buddhist countries where the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism has flourished uninterrupted and undiluted since its arrival in the 7th century AD. Bhutanese culture, tradition, customs, history, and landscape bear the influence of Buddhism. This is attributed to the institutionalization of the Zhung Dratshang, or Central Monastic Body, since its founding in 1620 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche Ngawang Tenzin Namgyel, the “Father of the Nation.” Bhutan’s unification as a country, its codification of the laws, and the development of its dual system of governance all occurred after the establishment of this significant institution. For centuries, Bhutan was ruled by either members of the Zhung Dratshang or by persons educated in its monasteries. Today, members of the Zhung Dratshang have a duty to support whichever political party is democratically elected.
Skills taught in monastic institutions are meant to enhance spiritual progress and prepare students to become self-sufficient, productive citizens. Monastic institutions, which span primary, secondary and college levels, are vital transmitters of knowledge where students are taught ritual performances, arts and crafts, grammar, poetry, philosophy, meditation, and a series of codes of conduct that train them to become good human beings.
The Zhung Dratshang plays a significant role in the spiritual and cultural lives of the Bhutanese people. In addition to religious practices, it participates in numerous programs for social wellbeing and makes significant contributions to non-governmental organizations and national Trust Funds. Monastic institutions provide scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many elderly are fed and sheltered by the monasteries and temples. The Zhung Dratshang is also an important custodian of Bhutan’s unique culture and language. Since almost every important occasion in the life of an average Bhutanese is invested with religious significance, monks visit households to perform rites during birth, marriage, sickness, death, construction of houses, consecration ceremonies, promotions, inaugural ceremonies, and other day-to-day functions.
Currently there are over 7,500 monks, nuns and Gomchens registered with the Dratshang. Monks and nuns are highly regarded by Bhutanese from all walks of life, and treated with great respect and devotion. In a rapidly-changing society adapting to globalization and modernization, they provide a counterweight of meaning, wisdom, and possibility.
Edited and reprinted from the Druk Journal with permission from Lopen Gembo Dorji, advisor to the Zhung Dratshang.