Curriculum Vitae
Geshe Thupten Dorjee
Professor, of University of Arkansas
517 Old Main, University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-2509
Synopsis:
Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee is an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk whose 25 years of intensive study in the Drepung Loseling Monastery University in South India culminated in the advanced Geshe Lharampa Degree, the same degree held by H.H. The Dalai Lama. After earning the highest degree awarded in the Gelugpa University, Geshe-La continued his education at the prestigious Gyuto Tantric Monastery University, where after another three years of training he received the Geshe Ngarampa Degree, a degree held by few in all of North America. For the next several years, Geshe-La toured throughout the world with Mystical Arts of Tibet, continued academic studies in the West, began setting up Dharma centers in North America Fairhope Tibetan Society at AL, Tibetan culture-instute of Arkensas at AR and Thupten Colling Darma Center at UT, and taught at various universities (USA, SHCL,WUS, UNI, SUU and PSCL) as lecture and adjunct professor. He is currently instructor at the University of Arkansas, where his popularity among the students and recognition by his peers has earned him the Outstanding Faculty Award, the Teacher of the Year, and, more recently, the John A. White Award for Faculty-Student Collaboration for work on the Text Project, an ongoing program where select students and faculty from the University travel to India to preserve the rich living tradition of elder Tibetans in Exile Today (TEXT). He also maintains full Buddhist Chaplaincy duties.
Education
Geshe Ngarampa (Post-Doctoral Degree)
Gyuto Tantric University
Advisors: H.H. Losang Nyima (former Tsong Khapa Throne Holder) Ven. Geshe Losang Dorjee (former Abbot of Gyuto Monastery)
http://www.gyutomonastery.com/history.html
Geshe Lharampa (Ph.D. equivalent)
Drepung Monastic University
Advisors: Kenzur, Losang Nyima, Kenzur Pema Galtesn, Kenzur Yeshe Thupten, Kenzur Dorjee (former Abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery)
http://www.loselingmonastery.org
Lopon (M.A. equivalent), Drepung University
Geluk Examination Department
Karam (B.A. equivalent), Drepung University
Geluk Examination Department
http://www.gelukpauniversity.com
Academic Employment
Instructor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas (2006 – present)
Instructor, University of Northern Iowa, Spring (2010)
Instructor, University of Southern Utah, Cedar City (2010)
Adjunct Instructor, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama (2005-2006)
Mentor, Prescott College, Prescott Arizona (2004)
Instructor, Springhill College, Mobile, Alabama (2004)
Instructor, Gyuto Tantric University, Arunachal Pradesh, India (1996-1998)
Assistant Instructor, Drepung University, Karnataka, India (1985-1996)
Areas of Specialization
Tibetan History and Culture, Tibetan Oral Tradition
Buddhist Philosophy, Culture, Literature and History
Classical Indian Philosophy
Non-Violence
Buddhist Chaplaincy, Life Counselor
Areas of Competence
Eastern Philosophy
Ethics (Eastern and Western)
Tibetan Art, Literature and Culture
Classical Buddhist Philosophy and
Tantrayana Buddhist Philosophy
Nationality
Tibetan (naturalized U.S. citizen)
Presentations
2006 – present: Twice-weekly teachings at the Tibetan Buddhist Practices group in Fayetteville, Arkansas, including introductory and advanced classes. Also facilitated periodic retreats, special trainings, and empowerments related to Tibetan Buddhist practices.
1998 – 2006: Twice-weekly teachings at the Fairhope Tibetan Society in Fairhope, Alabama, including introductory and advanced classes. Also facilitated periodic retreats, special trainings, and empowerments related to Tibetan Buddhist practices.
July 2003 – Lectured on “Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita), in Tibetan, Pharchin” to Dr. Bill Grant’s class at the Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama.
April 10 through 14, 2003 – Presented “Middle Way Philosophy (Madhyamaka), in Tibetan, Uma” at the Thupten Choling Dharma Center, in La Verkin, Utah, one of the Dharma Centers Geshe-La founded.
February 2002 and March 2003 – Taught “Buddhist Metaphysics (Abhidharma), in Tibetan, Zoe” at the Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, in Bowie AZ.
2001 – Presented lecture on “Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Culture” at Faulkner College in Fairhope and Bay Minette, AL.
May 5, 2001 – “Yoga and Meditation” workshop with Gail Goodwin at the Point Clear Yoga Center, Fairhope, Alabama.
February 2-3, 2001 – “Buddhist Perspectives on Dying” at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama to Dr. Jim Frush’s class, Pastoral Care on Aging.
March 30-April 1, 2001 – “Tibetan Paths of Healing” at the Earth Star Tai Chi Center, in Greensboro, NC, which included the Medicine Buddha empowerment.
September 2000 – Traveled to Calgary Canada, established a Sangha and taught “Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy” to both Tibetans and Westerners at the University of Calgary.
November 1999- “Buddhist Psychology” presented at the University of West Florida, Department of Psychology at the invitation of Professor William L. Mikulas, Ph.D.
1999 – Taught “Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy” once a month at Palyul Changchub Choling, a Nyingma Center, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
November 5, 1997 – “Buddhist Psychology of Death and Dying” presented to the University of South Alabama Nursing Class, HSC 524 taught by Jo Ann Erkums, MSN, RNC-FNP, Clinical Professor.
1994 – Graduated with the highest scholastic honor, the Geshe Lharampa Degree at Drepung Loseling University. Taught “Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita), in Tibetan, Pharchin” at Gyuto Tantra University in North India.
Cultural Programs
Fall 2010, 2009, &2008, lectured on Tibetan Buddhism/Buddhist Philosophy, University of Northwest Community College, Rogers, AR
Fall 10/10/ 2010, presented “My Special Journey” at Russellville, AR
Fall 2010, offered spiritual guidance to death row prisoner, Don Wackerly
Fall 2010, Mystical Arts of Tibet – Constructed, presented, and lectured on a sacred sand mandala at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Fall 9/16/2010 lectured to Southern Utah Univ., Sersin and thupetan choling
Spring 2009, Spring 2008, & Fall 2006 – Constructed, presented, and lectured on a sacred sand mandala at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Spring 2009 & Spring 2008 – Constructed, presented, and lectured on a sacred sand mandala in conjunction with H.H. The Dalai Lama’s visit at the University of Northern Iowa (2010).
Fall 2007 – Constructed, presented, and lectured on a sacred sand mandala at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale, Arkansas.
Spring 2007 – Constructed, presented, and lectured on a sacred sand mandala in conjunction with the groundbreaking of a new facility for Heifer International in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Spring 2007 & Fall 2006 – Facilitated the Tibetan Film Series at the University of Arkansas.
1999 – Hosted the Drepung Loseling Sacred Music, Sacred Dance Tour at The
Fairhope Tibetan Society, Spring Hill College.
1999 – Hosted the Nuns from Kopan Monastery at The Fairhope Tibetan Society, Spring Hill College.
1997 – Hosted the Drepung Loseling Sacred Music, Sacred Dance Tour at The
Fairhope Tibetan Society, Spring Hill College and the University of West Florida.
1995 – Toured with monks for 13 months with the Drepung Loseling Sacred Music, Sacred Dance Tour throughout the USA, Mexico, South America, and New Zealand.
Honors and Awards
John A. White Award for Student-Faculty Collaboration,
University of Arkansas, 2010
Outstanding Faculty Award,
University of Arkansas, Alumni Association, and Associated Student Government, 2007
Honorary Citizen,
Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2006
Honorary Tulsan,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1995
Honorary Texan,
State of Texas, 1995
Honorary Citizen,
San Marcos, Texas, 1995
Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1995
World Friendship Award,
International Foundation, 1994
Courses Taught
Graduate
Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy, Springhill College, Mobile, Alabama 2004
Buddhist Ethics, Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona 2004
Courses Taught
Undergraduate
Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Culture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2006 -2010
Introduction to Buddhism, University of Arkansas, 2006-2010
Buddhist Philosophy, University of Arkansas, 2006-2010
Nonviolence: Ethics for the New Millennium, University of Arkansas, 2006-2010
Buddhist Philosophy of Arts & Sciences with Sand Mandala for Community Education, University of Arkansas, 2006-2010, and University of West Florida, 2004
Mindfulness and Mental Health: A Holistic Approach, University of Arkansas, 2008-2010
The Dalai Lama: Sacred Tradition and a Political Institution, University of Northern Iowa, Spring 2010
TEXT (Tibetans in Exile Today): Study abroad project in India
The TEXT project, an on-going project where select students and faculty travel to India every other year, has been selected for the John A. White Award for Student-Faculty Collaboration at the University of Arkansas. http://textproject.wordpress.com/, Summer 2008 -2009
Indian Buddhist Philosophy, University of South Alabama, 2004-2006
Introduction to Ethics, University of South Alabama, 2005 and 2006
Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Culture, University of South Alabama, 2004-2000
Community Service
Started the Tutors for Tibetan Program, an international alliance where select students of the University of Arkansas mentor children in Mundgod, South India
http://web.me.com/minyak/tft/Home.html
Founded the Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas http://artibet.com
In 2006 became an advisor for “Students for a Free Tibet,” an organization started
At the University of Arkansas and 2010 University of Northern law.
Supervised agricultural work at Drepung Loseling Monastery in India and for
several years taught Scriptures, Tibetan grammar, language and agriculture to the monks (1990-1995).
Helped organize and provide housing, food, and education of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Culture to Minyak Khamtsen Monks who came to India from Tibet (1973 – present).
Counseled and gave spiritual guidance on “Overcoming Anger and Hatred” to prisoners in Atmore, AL (2006), Clio, AL (2005), and West Florida (2004).
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, volunteered and made several trips with The Fairhope Tibetan Society to deliver food, water, and roofing materials to Vietnamese Temples in Irvington and Bayou la Batre, AL and Biloxi, MS.
Participated with Fairhope Tibetan Society at Earth Day
Fairs in Fairhope, AL almost every year from 1998-2006.
Founded and supervised a sponsor program for Tibetan monks and lay-people living in exile in India.
Presented Tibetan history and culture to middle and high school classes in Fairhope, Bay Minette, and Mobile, AL, as well as St. George, Utah, and Fayetteville, Arkansas.
On October 18, 2003 presented a talk on “Tibetan Buddhist Culture, Love and Compassion, and My Homeland, Tibet” at Ever’man Natural Food Store in Pensacola, FL.
In 2005 became an advisor for “Students for a Free Tibet,” an organization started at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL. Events included the showing of several movies about Tibet, a Tibetan cooking class, a jazz concert, and an 8 hour presentation on making a sacred sand mandala. All donations have been sent to Minyak Khangsten at Drepung Loseling Monastery, India.
References
Sidney Burris
Directo r, Fulbright College Honors Program
Department of English
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
John Coker (Chair) / Eric Loomis
Associate Professor(s)
Department of Philosophy
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688
Rev. Christopher J. Viscardi, S.J.
Chair of Division of Philosophy and Theology
Spring Hill College
4000 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36608
Geshe Dakpa Topgyal
12 Parkwood
Charleston, SC 29403
H.H. Lobsang Nyima
Former Tsong Khapa Throne Holder
Drepung Loseling University
Tibetan Colony-581411
Mundgod, Karnataka, India
Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas
Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences
Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas
TEXT Project
Tutors for Tibetan
http://web.me.com/minyak/tft/Home.html
