My Biography

I am an artist and a lama. My name is Thubten Gyatso, and I am from Tarab in the snowy land of Dolpo. My family consists of seven members: my mother, wife, four daughters, one daughter-in-law, and one son.

My elder brother is Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche Sherab Zangpo (Nyinchung Tulku), and I have a younger half-brother named Dawa Phuntsok. If you wish to learn about my brother, Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche’s introduction and activities, please visit: www.dolpotulku.org

Early Life and Artistic Journey

When I was a young child, since my brother was recognized as a Tulku (reincarnate lama) and had people assisting him, I did not need to work much. However, after Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche went away in 1990 at the age of nine or ten, I gradually had to take on household work and became a shepherd.

While herding and during breaks from work, I practiced drawing and painting. I learned painting from my father and from the Drakmar thangka painter Konkyab.

My father was a respected lama in Dolpo, as well as an artist and the administrator of Jampa Monastery. His father, Chogyal Dondrub, was both a thangka painter and a doctor, but my grandfather focused more on medicine. I, however, developed a strong interest in art.

Since paper was very scarce in Dolpo, I practiced drawing on sandy surfaces, flat stones, and wooden boards while herding animals. Around the age of sixteen, my interest in art grew tremendously.

Professional Artistic Work

2003: Painted household shrines, tables, wardrobes, and other items.

2008: Worked on relief paintings for temple shrine pedestals when Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche returned to Dolpo.

2009: Completed artwork in Dolpo Karang Village.

2010: Painted shrine artwork at Shel Monastery and Shel Sumdo Monastery.

2011: Created artwork for the eight early stupas at Jampa Monastery & 2012: Completed the eight later stupas at Jampa Monastery.

2014: Painted the eight stupas at “The Touch City,” Melaka, Malaysia.

2018: Completed consecration and interior and exterior paintings of Tarab Sidhi Dungdrub Monastery.

Through these projects, I gained valuable leadership experience and artistic responsibility. Currently, I lead an artistic life, creating both traditional and innovative woodblock prints and other art forms from my own creativity.

Dharma Education and Social Contributions

From around the age of six in 1989, I studied reading and dharma under the guidance of my grandfather, Lama Namgyal Rinpoche, along with Zhontsang Lama Penpa and Drakmar Lama Kunga.

In 1998, I participated in a traditional three-year retreat with my father and became established among dharma practitioners.

In 2008, while visiting monasteries and communities with Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche and Khenpo Padma Dorje, I supported teachings encouraging reduced alcohol and meat consumption. From around 2012, many important ceremonies became non-violent and peaceful.

Artistic Awards

On May 28, 2024, I was selected among sixty artists by the Five Gholpa Groups and received “Nepal’s Outstanding Fine Art” award. This recognition allowed me to introduce the culture, religion, livelihood, and environment of Dolpo through my art.

On July 30, 2023, I received an honorary award from my local village, Dolpo Sangye, and Sidhi Dungdrub Monastery, which gave me immense pride and appreciation.

I consider the trust, respect, and relationships built through my work to be my greatest award.

Family Tradition of Thangka Painting

My family upholds a strong tradition of deity painting (thangka). I learned painting from my father and my uncle, the Drakmar thangka artist Konkyab. This family tradition allowed me to develop artistic skills quickly and skillfully.

My Particular Artistic Style

My artwork includes both traditional and freestyle paintings. While traditional structures are essential, I felt the need to go beyond them to fully express emotion and creativity.

In my wood paintings, I work with the natural grain, curves, and patterns of the wood, focusing on Himalayan environments, livelihood, and emotional expression. This innovative technique is a unique artistic contribution of my own creation.