Lama Pema Chophel

Born in America as Bob Flaws in 1946, 2020 is Lama Pema has been practicing the dharma for over fifty years. He is a householding ngakpa with wife and family and practiced medicine for 30 years. His Root Gurus are the late Yogi Sonam Kazi and Acharya Lama Dawa Chodrak. He has also received Dharma from over 60 Teachers – Tibetan, Bhutanese, English, and American. Although a Nyingmapa, Lama Pema has received teachings from all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was given the title Lama by Tulku Sherab Dorje (Sherdor) in recognition of his long, intensive, and persevering practice and was encouraged to teach by Lama Dawa.

For the last 12 years, he has spent the majority of his time in home retreat. He is a lineage holder of Chokyi Gocha’s Red Saraswati terma cycle from Lama Dawa and was the first student to complete Lama Dawa’s multi-year Vajra Armor training. Currently, Lama Pema’s main practices are Red Saraswati, Vajra Armor, and the Yuthok Nyingthig.