Gendun Chopel

CHINA, Qinghai, Huangnan

Gendun Chopel, born Rigdzin Namgyel, was a Tibetan scholar, interpreter, painter, and poet from Rebkong, Amdo (present day Tongren county in Huangnan). He was recognized as the reincarnation of Rigdzin Jigme Sonam Namyel and was sent to Gyama Tashikhyil, a hermitage in Rebkong during the first 10 years of his life and after he turned 14, he was sent to the hermitage monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetam Buddhism in Ditsa. In Ditsa, Gendun Chopel learned the basics of logic and debate, and earned the nickname Ditsa Kambo (Skinny Ditsa). During five years of studying fundamental Buddhist texts, he traveled between Gyama Tashikhyil and the Nyingma school of the Tibetan Buddhism practice center at Tso, where he went through intensive training.
Gendun Chopel entered Labrang Monastery in 1920 at the age of 18, where he immersed himself in six more years of studies. There, he also learned the rudiments of English from the American missionary, Marion Griebenow, also known as Sherab Dampel.
He later joined a caravan bound for Lhasa, traveling for three months on foot. Once in Lhasa, he took up studies at Drepung Monastery. He accepted the invitation of Rahul Sankriyayan, an Indian scholar, to travel through India, and did so for 12 years. He also traveled to Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
Gendun Chopel was immensely erudite and is considered the greatest Tibetan scholar of the 20th century. He mastered the English, Sanskrit, and Pali languages, and translated many classical texts. His views extended beyond the scriptures, showing distinction from the Tibetan tradition. His works in extant include over 100 written works and 24 paintings.