Khenpo

This article is about an academic title. For the administrative title in Bhutan, see Je Khenpo.

The term khenpo (also spelled Khyenpo) is a spiritual degree given in Tibetan Buddhism. In the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya traditions, the title is awarded usually after a period of 3 years of intensive study after secondary school level studies, and is considered much like a spiritual Bachelor's. Similar titles of lower standing are De Nod Dzin Pa, and Shor Phon. In the Gelug tradition, the title khenpo refers to either a senior monk who ordains new monastics, or the abbot of a monastery. A comparable title in the Gelug lineage is Geshe.

In some sanghas a khenchen is a senior khenpo or a title applied to the most respected khenpos.

References

• Mukpo, Diana J & Gimian, Carolyn (2006) Dragon Thunder: My Life with Chögyam Trungpa ISBN 1590302567