Our Teachers
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His Eminence The All Pervasive Lord Of Refuge Kalu Rinpoche (1904-1989)
Our Founder
Kalu Rinpoche was an extraordinary teacher of our time and his Dharma fame spread throughout the Western world as one of the first Tibetan Lamas to have made a deep and lasting connection with Westerners. Because of this connection, Rinpoche was able to establish over 100 Dharma Centers in 16 countries around the world, open many Three Year Retreat Centers, build monasteries and stupas, and author numerous books. Kalu Rinpoche passed away at his monastery in Darjeeling, India at the age of 85.
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The Venerable Lama Tenzin (1938-2001)
The First Full-Time Resident Teacher
The All Good Venerable Lama Tenzin was sent to Maui in 1981 by his Root Guru, Kalu Rinpoche and spent his precious time, until death, establishing the foundation for the Buddha Dharma on Maui. As a young monk, Lama Tenzin studied in the Geluk tradition at the great Tashi Lhungpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet. He left Tibet as a refugee and met Kalu Rinpoche in India to study under his tutelage in the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions, completing the Three Year Retreat at Kalu Rinpoche's monastery in Sonada, India.
Lama Tenzin's legacy will be honored by all who knew him. Reflecting the qualities of a Bodhisattva, Lama Tenzin will be remembered for his disciplined practice, his gentle nature and equal kindness to everyone. He gave his life to the Dharma.
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The Venerable Lama Gyaltsen
Current Resident Teacher & Spiritual Director
The Venerable Lama Gyaltsen Tamang was appointed by the late All Good Lama Tenzin to succeed him as Resident Teacher and arrived on Maui on the full moon day of June 2003.
Like Lama Tenzin, Lama Gyaltsen’s Root Guru is Kalu Rinpoche. A very close disciple of Kalu Rinpoche, Lama Gyaltsen was born in 1968 in Sonada, Darjeeling, India. He entered Rinpoche’s monastery at a very early age and received a monastic education. He completed the traditional Kagyu 3-year retreat and is trained in the traditions of the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages.
Lama Gyaltsen represents the new generation of Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West. He is accessible, articulate, fluent in English, artistic, humorous and a master story-teller. Lama Gyaltsen maintains a full schedule of leading ritual practice, meditation and oral teachings. He serves the community as Spiritual Friend and Mentor to people of all faiths.
“Lama Gyaltsen’s teachings have greatly benefited me - and, indirectly, those around me. Previous to meeting him, I explored self-improvement trainings, workshops and seminars, and none of them made a lasting difference, until I began to study with Lama.”
History
Established in 1974
The Maui Dharma Center, was founded on December 9, 1974 by the highly respected Tibetan Buddhist Lama, His Eminence The All Pervasive Lord of Refuge, Kalu Rinpoche (1904-1989). Kalu Rinpoche established the Center in the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition emphasizing the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages while encouraging the non-sectarian philosophy. Rinpoche determined the purpose of the Center, gave teachings and advice, directed which prayers and practices should be sustained, and in 1982, sent the late, All Good Venerable Lama Tenzin (1938-2001) to be the first resident teacher. In 2003, our current resident teacher The Venerable Gyaltsen Tamang arrived to continue the vision of Kalu Rinpoche. For 50 years, the Center has hosted many highly esteemed teachers from all the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Through the blessings of the late Kalu Rinpoche and the dedication of its successive resident teachers, the Maui Dharma Center has become a respected place for the practice and study of Tibetan Buddhism.
