Lama Rabten Tshering is the resident teacher and spiritual director of Nalandabodhi Canada. His dharma education started at a young age under guidance of his father who taught him music and Karma Kagyu tantras. Lama Rabten spent his early years at Rumtek Monastery, the principal seat of Gyalwang Karmapa in Sikkim, India, where he expanded his study and practice in the Tsurphu tradition—training in Vajrayana ritual, such as music, torma, tantra memorization, and dance.

In 1992, Lama Rabten was appointed disciplinary master of Rumtek Monastery by Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and carried out this responsibility for five years. In 1997, he entered a three-year retreat at Pullahari Retreat Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. While there he completed more training in meditation and tantra under the guidance of Drupon Khenpo Lodro Namgyal, Bokar Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.

To serve the Nalandabodhi community, Lama Rabten came to Canada in 2002 under the invitation of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. He currently teaches regularly at Maitrivana, Nalandabodhi Canada’s headquarters in Vancouver; and travels to Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax to teach and guide students in their meditation practices. He is a first-class calligrapher, offering both Tibetan calligraphy and language instruction. Lama Rabten is fluent in several languages, including Tibetan, Mandarin, and English.