Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe was born in 1930 in Lhokha, Central Tibet and became a monk at the age of 13. After completing his studies at Drepung Loseling Monastery in 1969, he was awarded Geshe Lharampa, the highest degree in the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism. He is an emeritus professor at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies and an eminent scholar of both Madhyamaka and Indian Buddhist studies. His works include Hindi translations of The Essence of Good Explanation of Definitive and Interpretable Meanings by Lama Tsongkhapa and Kamalasila's commentary on the Rice Seedling Sutra. His own commentary, The Rice Seedling Sutra: Buddha’s Teachings on Dependent Arising, was translated into English by Joshua and Diana Cutler and published by Wisdom Publications. Geshela has facilitated many research works, such as a complete translation of Tsongkhapa’s The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, a major project undertaken by the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in New Jersey where he teaches regularly.

Featured Series

Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe teaches in the Meditation Hall.

Aryadeva’s 400 Stanzas with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe (2013-17)

Teachings by Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe on Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way given at Sravasti Abbey and Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center, New Jersey. With interpretation into English by Joshua Cutler.

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Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe smiles at the camera.

Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe (2018–21)

Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe teaches Dharmakirti's commentary on Dignaga's Compendium on Valid Cognition. With interpretation into English by Joshua Cutler and Katrina Brooks.

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Meditation

Prerequisites for serenity

What is needed to meditate on serenity and insight? Both are needed equally to attain…

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Meditation

Conventional and ultimate bodhicitta

An in-depth discussion of the two types of bodhicitta: conventional and ultimate.

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Meditation

Developing great compassion

Review steps preceding the cultivation of compassion and specific instruction on how to cultivate compassion.

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Meditation

Developing equanimity

How to meditate on equanimity as the prelude to developing loving kindness and compassion.

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Meditation

Compassion

The three causes of omniscience: compassion, bodhicitta, and skillful means.

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Meditation

Hearing, thinking, and meditating

Teaching on a text that was written in response to a debate in Tibet in…

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Pramanavartika conclusion

Commentary on refuting the idea that karma and craving are equally to be abandoned, and…

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Refuting the theist-ritualists and Jainas 

Completion of commentary on the refutation of theist-ritualist soteriology and beginning the commentary on refuting…

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Refuting the Samkhyas and theist-ritualists

Completion of commentary on refuting Samkhya views and commentary on refuting theist-ritualist views.

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Refuting the Vaisesikas and Samkhyas

Completion of commentary on the refutation of Vaisesika views and beginning of commentary on refutation…

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

A refutation of Vaisesika soteriology

Completion of commentary on the section "Self and Suffering” and beginning the section on “A…

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Pramanavarttika with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe

Self and suffering, part 2 with questions and answers

Continued commentary on the section "Self and Suffering” and Venerable Thubten Chodron answers questions.

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