Born in 1968 in Bhutan, Khenpo Jigme entered Thrangu Rinpoche's main monastery, Tashi Choling in Boudenath, Nepal in 1983, later receiving full ordination as a monk. He enrolled in Namo Buddha Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies in 1989, where he completed the five-year program of studies as well as traditional Kagyu three year retreat. Highly skilled in Buddhist philosophy, ritual and meditation, he was appointed by Thrangu Rinpoche to teach at Namo Buddha and Vajra Vidya Institutes. Rinpoche designated him “Khenpo,” i.e., master of Buddhist philosophy (similar to a PhD. in Theology). Khenpo Jigme is resident lama at Rinpoche's Vajra Vidya Institute in Crestone, Colorado. Much admired for his erudition and incisive intellect, he is loved by an increasingly wide number of students in the West for his gentle nature and charming good humor.