about us
the centre
Palyul Nyingma Buddhist Association (PNBA) was founded by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche per instruction by the late His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche. The centre was registered in Singapore in March 1993, formerly known as Bai-yu Buddhist Association.
PNBA is one of the official world-wide centres under Palyul Namdroling Monastery located in Bylakuppe, South India. We follow the advice and guidance of our lineage teachers; the late His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, His Eminence Khentrul Gyang Khang Rinpoche and His Eminence Tulku Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche.
The centre was set up to uphold the teaching of the Buddha through study and practice, and particularly the teachings and practices of the Palyul lineage to benefit the students in Singapore.
the resident Dharma teacher
Our Resident Teacher Ven. (Khenpo) Phurpa Darjee Sherpa has joined Namdroling Monastery in the year 1990, at the age of 13. He received basic Buddhist training at the Monastic Jr. High School, and then completed the course upon ritual rites.
In 2005, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the prestigious monastic institute, and successfully completed the nine-year course on Buddhist Philosophy and Practice in 2014. He was then conferred upon the title of Lopon (MA in Buddhist Philosophy). On 30th April 2018, he was conferred upon the title of Khenpo (Doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy) by the 12th Throne Holder of Palyul Lineage His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche.
He has served Namdroling monastery in various capacities:
- In 2012, he served as an Assistant Disciplinarian of NNI.
- In 2013, he was appointed a Revision Teacher of NNI in his final year.
- From May, 2014 - April, 2017, he served as a General Disciplinarian of Namdroling Monastery.
- In May, 2017, he was appointed the Principal of Monastic Nunnery where he is taught on Buddhist Philosophy in Nunnery institute for three years.
- In 2022, he served at Palyul Chokor Ling in Bir, India for one year.
He has received important empowerments and instructions from many great masters, such as: His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, H.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, H.H. Domang Yangthang Rinpoche, H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, H.H. Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche, and the like.
Khenpo Phurba is well-versed in performing religious rites and rituals, as well as teachings of the Buddha Dharma. He will greatly benefit Singapore’s Palyul student in learning and practicing the Dharma.