In the Mahayana tradition, the heart of spiritual practice is Bodhicitta. Along with a true determination to be free of suffering and the realization of the wisdom of emptiness, the awakening mind of altruism from the three principal aspects of the spiritual path.

Join Geshe Ngawang Thekchok for a heartfelt and trans-formative retreat devoted to the study and cultivation of Bodhicitta—the awakening mind of compassion and wisdom at the core of the Buddhist path. Through clear teachings, guided reflection, and thoughtful discussion, participants will explore how bodhicitta reshapes our understanding of ourselves and others, opening a way of living grounded in empathy, courage, and genuine concern for the welfare of all beings.

This retreat offers both philosophical depth and practical application: how to recognize and work with the habits that close the heart, how to generate compassion in daily life, and how the vast aspiration to awaken for the benefit of others becomes a powerful source of inner strength and clarity.

Perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their Dharma practice, reconnect with purpose, or experience the boundless potential of the awakened heart.

For more information and registration, email us at [email protected]

Geshe Ngawang Thekchok was born in Chunpo Tibet in the year 1970 to a family of nomads in a remote village. He began learning to read and write Tibetan from his parents at a very young age.
At the age of 15 he was enrolled into Phelgey Ling monastery and began his training in Buddhist ritual and prayers, culminating in his receiving ordination. He escaped to India in 1991 after 3 weeks of a treacherous journey via Nepal with six other people.

He began his formal studies after his arrival in India in the five treatises of Buddhist Philosophy at Drepung Loseling monastery under the tutelage of well-known masters like Venerable Lobsang Nyima, the 100th Gaden Throne Holder, Venerable Lobsang Tenzin, the 103rd Gaden Throne Holder and Venerable Namgyal Wangchen. 

In 1992 he received his gelong (full monk) ordination from His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama at Drepung monastery. After successful completion of his studies in this monastery in the year 2007, he went on to study for Geshe Lharampa degree. By dint of his hard work and perseverance, he successfully completed Gelug board examination and earned the much-coveted Geshe Lharampa degree in 2013. Thereafter he went to Gyuto tantric monastery to study and practice tantra for one year.

Geshela has been teaching ever since then; he taught for one year in Ladakh and then taught Buddhist Philosophy in Drepung monastery voluntarily for many years. He has also served as a member of the monastery Examination Board.

Geshe la has been the resident teacher at Thosamling since 2019. Geshela is a very learned yet humble scholar with a quiet sense of humor and is very skillful in showing students how to practice the dharma.