Geshe Tenzin Legtsok has been ordained as a Buddhist monk since 2001 and is the first American to complete the twenty-year Geshe Studies Program in classic Indian Buddhist treatises and their Tibetan commentaries at Sera Jey Monastic University in South India, following the tradition of ancient Nalanda University. In 2025, he completed the traditional study of tantra at Gyumed Tantric Monastery.
With over two decades of study and practice under the guidance of great masters, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Geshe Legtsok brings profound insights into the application of Buddhist teachings. Born in Virginia, USA, in 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College in 1995. His quest to answer the question, “What makes for the most happy and meaningful life,” led him to major in philosophy, eventually guiding him to study meditation and philosophy with teachers among the exiled Tibetan communities in India and Nepal since 1999.
Dedicated to studying and teaching Buddhist philosophy, Geshe Legtsok seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern-day relevance. His teachings emphasize understanding and transforming the mind through practice, and he is committed to helping others navigate the spiritual path with clarity and patience.
Events with Geshe Tenzin Legtsok
Essence of Nectar: Ancient Wisdom for Modern HeartsJune 13 - 20, 2026
Embarking on the path to enlightenment is a journey both profound and transformative, yet it unfolds most clearly with a reliable guide. This one-week retreat, Essence of Nectar, offers a rare opportunity to encounter the full scope of the Tibetan Buddhist path, presented with clarity, depth, and practicality. Led by Geshe Legtsok, we will explore The Essence of Nectar, a Lamrim text by the revered Tibetan master Yeshe Tsöndru. This text presents the stages of the path to awakening in a complete, step-by-step manner—illuminating the path from the very first contemplations to the realization of full enlightenment. Through teachings,…
The Path of Meditation: Foundations and PracticeNovember 12 - 20, 2026
Ready to hit pause on the chaos of daily life and actually train your mind? This retreat offers a clear, practical, and experiential introduction to meditation—no fluff, just real tools you can use. Whether you’re flying solo or continuing your journey through the Exploring Buddhism program, you’ll find a supportive environment to deepen your practice and understanding. Over the course of the retreat, you’ll explore the why and how of meditation in a way that’s structured, grounded, and—most importantly—accessible. You’ll dive into the two main types of meditation: placement (concentration) and analytical meditation, with a focus on developing calm abiding. Step by step, you’ll learn…


