Wisdom Dharma Chat | Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche

June 25, 2025

In this episode of Wisdom Dharma Chats, host Daniel Aitken welcomes Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche, a rare teacher who holds three khenpo degrees and was trained at some of the most esteemed Nyingma institutions.

In this richly detailed interview, Rinpoche reflects on his extraordinary academic journey, including how he ran away from his home monastery to continue his schooling and the rich lineage of Buddhist scholarship that shaped his path. He shares stories from his early life in Tibet during the Cultural Revolution, highlighting the deep resilience required to preserve and pursue the Dharma under challenging conditions. Rinpoche shares stories of his root guru—His Holiness Khenpo Jigmé Puntsok Rinpoche—along with other key teachers in his life.

Together, Daniel and Rinpoche explore the discipline of traditional Buddhist study, the impact of adversity on practice, and the personal work of transforming the mind. Rinpoche speaks with candid warmth about the importance of mind training, cultivating tolerance, and owning one’s experience as the key to happiness and spiritual growth.

Show Links: 

Learn more about Rinpoche and his work here.

Discover Rinpoche’s book The Power of Mind here.


Meet Our Guest


Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche

Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche was born in eastern Tibet, where he is the abbot of Mardo Tashi Choling Monastery. Khentrul Rinpoche was ordained as a monk at age seven. For more than 20 years, he studied and practiced under his main root guru, His Holiness Khenpo Jigmé Puntsok Rinpoche. He also spent many years studying with H.H. Katog Moktza Rinpoche and H.H. Penor sutra and tantra scriptures, including those of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. He also received the associated empowerments, reading transmissions, and oral instructions, and earned the degree of khenpo, equivalent to a Ph.D. in Buddhist philosophy, three times.

Khentrul Rinpoche was invited to the United States by Chagdud Rinpoche in 2002. Since then he has established more than 20 dharma centers across North America. For most of the year, Khentrul Rinpoche travels to and teaches at his dharma centers, as well as at universities, medical facilities, and prisons around the world. He started a shedra, the traditional study of Buddhist scriptures, at Katog Choling Gön, his monastery in the West located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas.

For more information about Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche and his dharma activities, visit: www.katogcholing.com

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