Khenpo (Abbot) Chheke Gurung, Pullahari Monastery, Jagdol, Ward Kopan, Kathmandu, Nepal

Khenpo Chheke has an Acharya (Masters Degree) in higher Buddhist philosophy from Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, Sikkim, India. He has served as Abbot for Pullahari Monastery from 1992 to today and provides guidance for the education of the monks, teaches at the annual international programme for Tibetan language and scriptures at Rigpe Dorje Institute and teaches Buddhist philosophy at affiliated Dharma centres in the west, Asia and Africa. Khenpo has also served as the national coordinator for Khoryug Nepal since 2015. Khoryug is an environment movement initiated by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje in 2009.  Khoryug monasteries and nunneries under the Karma Kamtsang tradition from Bhutan, India and Nepal are committed to help protect the Himalayan region from environmental degradation. Khoryug Nepal has 16 active monasteries and nunneries working on environmental and climate projects.

Khenpo Chheke’s passion for flora fauna started in Karma Shri Nalanda Institute where he spent most of his spare time assisting in the garden. Once Khoryug was initiated in 2009, Khenpo oversaw several projects including climate preparedness, organic farming, waste segregation, kitchen composting, and recycling waste-water at Pullahari. He was appointed as the Nepal coordinator for Khoryug in 2015 in recognition of his environmental leadership. He is of Nyishang Gurung heritage.