At the Deer Park Buddhist Center in Oregon, Wisconsin, a rural area 16 kilometers south of the state capital Madison, hundreds of people gathered in late September to witness the enthronement of seven-year-old Tenzin Nawang. Nawang is believed to be the reincarnation of Geshe Lhundub Sopa (1923–2014), one of the most influential figures in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the United States. The ceremony, attended by senior monastics, longtime students, and lay followers, marked a moment of spiritual continuity and emotional reflection for the Tibetan Buddhist community in North America.

Geshe Lhundub Sopa, who died at the age of 91, fled Tibet in 1959. According to Dr. Roger R. Jackson, emeritus professor of Asian Studies and Religion at Carelton College, “[Sopa] was one the last surviving masters to receive most of their scholarly training in Tibet, and one of the first such scholars to teach in a Western university.” (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Sopa made his way to the US, where he became a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, he introduced generations of students to Buddhist philosophy and founded the Deer Park Buddhist Center, which remains a focal point for Tibetan Buddhist practice and study in the US.

The Dalai Lama’s representative to North America, Namgyal Choedup, confirmed that His Holiness had officially recognized Tenzin Nawang as Geshe Sopa’s reincarnation, granting him the honorific title “rinpoche,” meaning “precious one.” “This is about the enthronement of the young reincarnation of Geshe Lhundub Sopa,” Choedup said. “Geshe-la taught at the University of Wisconsin, started Deer Park, and shared Buddhist knowledge—teachings on nonviolence and interdependence, things that are really relevant in today’s world.” (The Capital Times)

Many of Geshe Sopa’s former students found the event to be deeply moving. “I have very mixed feelings about it, because he’s so young,” said Ann Chavez, who studied under Sopa in the late 1970s. “Our previous teacher really didn’t want to reincarnate . . . but the Dalai Lama had asked him to do so, and he’s never refused the Dalai Lama.” (The Capital Times)

Sujei Own, Sopa’s first Taiwanese student, described the enthronement as a moment of fulfillment. “We have been waiting for this homecoming for a long time,” he said. “It’s like a dream come true, but the most important thing for us is to continue to practice Buddhism.” (The Capital Times)

Tenzin Nawang, who lives in Toronto with his family, arrived at Deer Park two days before the ceremony. He was greeted with traditional masked dancers and escorted to the temple, where he participated in prayers and rituals. While the gravity of the occasion was unmistakable, moments of childhood play remained—Nawang was seen playing tag with his twin sister and fiddling with a Rubik’s Cube between prayers.

His mother, Tseten Sangmo, reflected on the mix of pride and emotion she felt. “This is a great honor,” she said. “But I also have a lot of emotions about it.” (The Capital Times) The family, including Nawang’s father, Tenzin Gyurme, and three siblings, participated quietly in the ceremony, assisting monastics and attendees.

Following the enthronement, Choedup explained that the Dalai Lama had advised the young Rinpoche to pursue both monastic and secular education. “Once he has that, he’ll be able to serve humanity and continue the great work of the former master,” Choedup said. (The Capital Times)

Nawang is expected to travel to India soon to begin his formal training, a journey that mirrors that of earlier generations of Tibetan monks who continued their studies in exile after the Chinese annexation of Tibet.

For those gathered, the day represented both continuity and change. Rocio Masset, a student of Sopa’s who traveled from Baltimore for the event, reflected on the global reach of Tibetan Buddhism. “How do you explain something like that?” she said. “But that is part of our tradition. This is something we believe in.” (The Capital Times)

“Deer Park is the root of Tibetan Buddhism in America,” she added. “So this place is not just important for Tibetans.” (The Capital Times)

As the prayers concluded and guests lined up for blessings from the young Rinpoche, Choedup emphasized the universal message at the heart of the ceremony. “If Buddhism can be captured in words . . . it’s the concept of interdependence and the practice of compassion and kindness,” he said. “This is not just Buddhist—it is human wisdom, human knowledge. And it’s something that could benefit the larger human society. All sentient beings.” (The Capital Times)

See more

In Dane County rite, child enthroned as reincarnated Buddhist leader (The Capital Times)
Geshe Lhundub Sopa (University of Wisconsin)
Geshe Lhundub Sopa: Carrying Teachings From Tibet (PBS Wisconsin Education)

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