The Venerable Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen

Born in Tibet in 1944, Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen was destine to lead a
monastic life. He was chosen as an infant to dedicate his life to the Dharma.
Raised with his 16 brothers and sisters on their farm, by the age of nine
Dhondup Gyaltsen was a monk.

To avoid religious persecution, Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen escaped from
Tibet in 1959. He then joined the Namgyal Monastery in 1963 and completed
his monastic study in 1967 after following the Monastery rules step by
step. Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen was the first monk to join and complete
monastic training in exile at the Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

From 1981 through 1984 Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen served as Chaplin
for the Tibetan Army. He also served in varied capacities including discipline
master of the Namgyal Monastery, insuring proper protocols and customs
be maintained.

In 1988 on his first trip to the United States, Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen
along with Lobsang Samten demonstrated Kalachakra Mandala Sand Painting
at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen
continued his travels in 1991 conducting sand painting in Russia, France, Africa and
Mongolia with His Holiness Dalai Lama. In 1992, Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen was
one of four founding monks whom started the Namgyal Ithaca in New York
where he taught religious studies

Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen made Maui Hawaii his permanent home in 1999.
While here, he helped to create the Pendy Foundation. Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen
works to raise funds and awareness supporting Tibetan children, elders, nuns,
and monks living in exile. Kushab Dhondup Gyaltsen continues to direct the
Tibetan Cultural Conservancy on the island of Maui which supports cultural
preservation through the teaching and practice of Dharma.

Tashi Pendey Foundation