Geshe Lhundub Sopa

Carrying Teachings from Tibet

1923–2014

How do you make history?

When Geshe Lhundub Sopa was growing up in Tibet, he dreamed of becoming a Buddhist monk. With support from his family and teachers, he achieved his goal, but invading Chinese troops forced him and other monks to leave their home. He came to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to teach Tibetan language and Buddhism. He went on to found the Deer Park Buddhist Center, which helps people learn and connect around the teachings of the Buddha.

Meet Geshe Lhundub Sopa

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Questions to Consider

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 1 superimposed above it

When Geshe Sopa was studying at the monastery he once ran away. Why? Was there a time you felt pressure to do well at something, but found it very difficult?

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 2 superimposed above it

At first, Geshe Sopa was unsure when the Dalai Lama asked him to go all the way to the United States. Think of a time when you were asked to try something totally new. How did you feel? Why?

Illustration of the geographical shape of the State of Wisconsin with the number 3 superimposed above it

Geshe Sopa started the Deer Park Buddhist Center to bring people together. Where do you gather with others to learn something important?

Read On

Illustration of Geshe Sopa

Geshe Lhundub Sopa: Carrying Teachings from Tibet

Get the full story with this biography book. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!

   

Project Credits

Producer
David Boffa

Coordinating Producer
Mia Forslund

Illustration
Tenzin Sopa

Animation
Ian Glodich

Animation Voice Over
Tenzin Dhondup

Voice Over Recording
Suzanne Pinney

Animation Sound
Dhondup Tsagong
Phunsok Tsawog
The Deer Park Buddhist Center Monks
Kerman Eckes

Production Artist
Amanda Roslansky

Animation Director
Philip Ashby
Rodney Lambright II

English Audiobook Narration
Tenzin Dhondup

Tibetan Audiobook Narration
Jampa Khedup

Audiobook Editing
Kerman Eckes

Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp

Translation Services
Jampa Khedup
Yangbum Gyal and University of Wisconsin–Madison Cultural Linguistic Services

Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund
David Boffa

Web Design
Charles Barrows

Web Development
John Vieth
Tim Schneider

Graphic and Motion Design
Charles Barrows
Ian Glodich

Additional Production Support
Patrick Yew
Dhondup Tsagong

Executive Producer
Megan Monday

Chief Curiosity Officer
Alyssa Tsagong

Director of Television
Jon Miskowski

Special Thanks
Deer Park Buddhist Center
Wisconsin Tibetan Association
Kalleen Mortensen
Paul Donnelly
Khamlung Rinpoche
PBS SoCal

Educator Cohort

Heather Bluedorn
Red Creek Elementary
Black River Falls, WI

Toni Heinowski
Muskego-Norway School District
Muskego, WI

Kerri Lintl
Merrimac Community School
Merrimac, WI

Jodi Mallak
Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District
Wittenberg-Birnamwood, WI

Darcy Maxwell
Summit Environmental Elementary
La Crosse, WI

Katherine Seibel
Madison Elementary School
Marshfield, WI

Karli Wagner
Cherokee Heights Middle School
Madison, WI

Christine Wautlet
Susie C. Altmayer Elementary
De Pere, WI

Funding provided by

Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout

Focus Fund for Education

Friends of PBS Wisconsin