Geshe Lama Konchog, born Lobsang Puntsog (1917–2001), was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist gelugpa lama

Lama

Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries...

, who had thousands of followers around the world. Konchog was recognized by the Dalai Lama

14th Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...

 to be a Great Mahasiddha

Mahasiddha

Mahasiddha is a term for one who cultivates those teachings that lead to becoming perfect. They are a type of eccentric yogini/yogi in both Sanatan Dharma and Vajrayana Dharma, given by Siddhartha. Mahasiddhi are those practitioners, or tantrikas who have gained sufficient understanding and are so...

, or realized guru.

Konchog spent a total of 26 years in isolated mountain retreat, seeking illumination. Beginning in 1985, he resided at Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. It belongs to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition , an international network of Gelugpa dharma centers, and once served as its headquarters.The monastery was established...

 in Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...

. He also traveled around the world teaching.

Konchog died at the age of 84 in 2001. His funeral rites, and the search for his subsequent reincarnation (Rinpoche

Rinpoche

Rinpoche or Rinboqê is an honorific used in Tibetan Buddhism. It literally means "precious one," and is used to address or describe Tibetan lamas and other high-ranking or respected teachers. This honor is generally bestowed on reincarnated lamas, or Tulkus, by default...

) by his close disciple Tenzin Zopa

Tenzin Zopa

Not to be confused with Lama Thubten Zöpa Rinpoche, Geshe Lhundub Sopa Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Tharchin , and Geshe Lobsang Zopa ...

, are documented in the 2008 film, Unmistaken Child

Unmistaken Child

Unmistaken Child is a 2008 independent documentary film, which follows a Tibetan Buddhist monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher, the world-renowned lama Geshe Lama Konchog . The filming, which began in October 2001, spans a time frame of five and a half years...

.

External links

• Kadampa Teachings by Geshe Lama Konchog
• Bio at Kopan Monastery
• Bio at Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
• Geshe Lama Konchog's confirmed reincarnation, Phuntsok Rinpoche