Illuminating Samsara and Nirvana

An eminent philosopher and composer in the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, Gorampa Sonam Senge (1429–89) wrote extensively, covering subjects of such as prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, pramana, and vinaya, as well as the three vows. He took monastic vows at around age ten. When he was nineteen, he went to Nalendra Monastery, located north of Lhasa, where he met and received teachings from the great Sakya master Rongton Sheja Kunrik. At age twenty-one, Gorampa moved on to Dreyul Kyetsal Monastic College, where he studied prajnaparamita, vinaya, and Abhidharma with other teachers. He received full ordination at the age of twenty-six and was conferred the Lamdre teachings as well as many other tantric instructions from teachers at Ngor Monastery. In 1466, Gorampa founded Tanak Serling Monastery, and in 1473, Tanak Thupten Namgyal Monastery.

Szegee Toh holds an honors degree in mathematics from the National University of Singapore. She graduated from the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Masters Program in Buddhist philosophy in 2004. Since then, she has served variously as interpreter and teaching assistant in the Masters Programs held at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy, as well as Nalanda Monastery, France. Several of her text translations are used in FPMT study programs.