Lama Yönten is from the Nyarong region of Tibet, close to the seat of Tertön Sogyal, Sogyal Rinpoche’s predecessor. He also spent some time in Larung Gar, the centre of Buddhist learning established by Khenpo Jikmé Phuntsok, another incarnation of Tertön Sogyal.
After escaping the troubles in Tibet, Lama Yönten settled in South India, where he lived at Dzogchen Monastery and completed some retreat. Sogyal Rinpoche met him there and requested him to come to Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s retreat centre in southern France. Lama Yönten is the only Tibetan Lama that Sogyal Rinpoche has ever asked to come and live in the West.
Lama Yönten has lived in Lerab Ling for more than 20 years as a perfect monk, and is a well-respected elder in the community. He has helped the Lerab Ling community with many different lama visits, projects and work, and presides regularly over Vajrayana practices.
