Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen
Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen (Wyl. khu nu bla ma bstan 'dzin rgyal mtshan) (1895–1977), known also as Tenzin Gyaltsen Negi, Khunu Rinpoche and Negi Lama, was born in the late 19th century in the Khunu region of Kinnaur valley in India. He is renowned as one of the influential teachers in the rimé (non-sectarian) movement within Tibetan Buddhism. A foremost scholar of Sanskrit and Tibetan, Khunu Rinpoche traveled widely in Tibet and India disseminating essential teachings of Buddhist philosophy. His students include the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Among several teachings that the Dalai Lama received from Khunu Rinpoche was the celebrated "Bodhicaryavatara" of Shantideva.
His seminal work on Bodhicitta (Enlightened Mind) was translated and published under the title of "Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea: Verses in Praise of Bodhicitta" by Wisdom Publications in 1999.
He died at Shashul Monastery, in Lahoul (82 years of age) on February 23, 1977.
Two reincarnations of Khunu Lama have been identified both of whom are teachers in the Buddhist tradition. Venerable Jangchhub Nyima was born to a Tibetan father and Danish mother and currently teaches in India and Denmark. Venerable Tendzin Priyadarshi was born into a family of Brahmin parents in Bihar, India and is known for his continued interest in the Sanskrit Buddhist literature.
