Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
 
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche is the 54 year old abbot of one of the largest monasteries in Nepal, with over 250 monks.  He was born in Tibet, and fled that country with his family when he was eight years old.  He trained in Sikkim, then founded his monastery near Kathmandu in 1976.  He has focused on making authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings available to Westerners.  He has overseen the publication of over 35 books on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, and has authored six books of his own (see www.rangjung.com for the full range of books).  He regularly visits and teaches at retreat centers in many countries, including his North American retreat center in Northern California, called Rangjung Yeshe Gomde (www.gomdeusa.org).