About Us
Great Compassionate Mahayana Center
The Great Compassionate Mahayana (GCM) Center was founded by Ven. Geshe Norbu Chophol, a Gelupa monk from the Sera Mey Monastary in Southern India. The GCM Center seeks to create a peaceful and harmonious world through the study of Tibetan Buddhism. By learning the teachings of the Buddha, loving-kindness, compassion and wisdom, we strive to benefit all sentient beings. We invite everyone, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike to join us at GCM to spread happiness and compassion to everyone in the world.
Our Teacher
Ven. Geshe Norbu Chophol
At just nine years of age, Geshe Norbu Chophol began his journey into monkhood at Sera Mey Monastic University in Mysore, South India. He was born in 1968 as the second of four sons from parents who both fled from Kham, East Tibet to settle in India as refugees. As a novice monk he first took the vows from the late Ling Rinpoche, the senior tutor to H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama, before later taking the Bikshu vows of a fully ordained monk from H.H. Dalai Lama himself. While at Sera Mey, Geshe Norbu learned and studied under many great teachers, most notably under his root Guru Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Jamyang who once served as the former Abbott of the monastery. It was not long until Geshe Norbu became one of his principal disciples which gave him the opportunity to receive indispensable teachings and unique transmissions only bestowed upon him. His fluency in Tibetan writing and speaking allowed him to further study and complete the extensive canon of Buddhist teachings. In 1994, after twenty-five years of diligent study, Geshe Norbu passed the examination and was awarded with the degree of Geshe (Ph.D. degree in Buddhist Philosophy) along with all the blessings from his teachers. Two years later in May of 1996, he completed a post-doctoral study in Tantric Buddhist Philosophy at Gyudme Tantric University where he also taught resident students Collected Topics and Logic.
In addition to completing his post-doctoral studies in 1996, Geshe Norbu was elected as General Secretary of Sera LaChi of Sera Monastic University where he served for three years, making significant contributions and earning the respect of his peers. He also served as Resident Teacher at Manjushri Buddhist Center in Toronto, Canada and at Geden Shoeling Center in Westminster, California where he has offered prayer sessions, dharma classes, healing, and advice to those in need. He also was responsible for the sustenance of 1,420 monks at Sera Mey while serving the two sister centers. His desire to help and extend his compassion to others around the world has allowed him to travel extensively to countries outside of the U.S. and has garnered the respect and admiration of his students.
Shortly before the pandemic, upon the fervent request of his Buddhist students and with the support of the dharma community, Geshe Norbu recently established the Great Compassionate Mahayana Center in Stanton, California in the summer of 2021.
Translators
Tenzing Nuba
Tenzing Nuba was the personal translator of late Khensur Geshe Lobsang Jamyang from Sera-Me Monastic University in India. He is a well known native Tibetan translator of Buddhist works. Beginning 1988, he traveled with late Khensur Geshe Lobsang Jamyang to South America, Canada, and the United States of America ( 1988 – 1995). He is now the translator at Great Compassion Mahayana Center. He received his formal education in Buddhist Philosophy from his root Guru late Dhardo Tulku in Kalimpong, India. Later he received intensive teachings in both Buddhism and Classical Tibetan Literature from late Geshe Yeshi Namgyal who was not only a Geshe in Buddhist studies but also a scholar in Tibetan Language. With Master’s degree in English literature and B.S. in education, Tenzing worked for LAUSD for decades and is now a retired public school English teacher.
Daniel
MS, NP-C
Daniel has had the fortune of making a connection with Geshe Norbu Chophol since age 12. His initial interest in Tibetan Buddhism was sparked through reading of “The Art of Happiness” by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Psychologist Howard Cutler. Since their connection, Daniel has received his refuge vows from Geshela and many formal and informal teachings. Through Geshela’s blessings, Daniel has helped with the Vietnamese translation of teachings, especially over Zoom during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Daniel has been studying the Lojong teachings of Geshe Langri Tangpa and the Lamrim Chenmo of Je Tsongkhapa in addition to teachings of the Vietnamese Mahayana and Therevada traditions in order to help his growth in Dharma and aide in his translation work.
Anne Le
Anne Le (Tibetan Dharma name: Jamyang Norbu) is the second Vietnamese translator at the Great Compassion Mahayana Center. She is from the family that follows and practices Buddhism for generations. Anne is currently finishing the three year Dharma program of Basic and Intermediate Level at Boddhi Buddhist Academy (Vien Phat Hoc Bo De Phat Quoc) in Santa Ana. She has received the certificate from the Boddhi Buddhist Academy on May 28th, 2022. She plans to continue to the three year Dharma program of Higher Level of the Academy, starting June 2022.
Anne has keen interests in learning Dharma. She also loves to teach children Vietnamese and basic Dharma. Anne is married with one son. She works as a pharmacy manager at Wal-Mart pharmacy in Garden Grove.