Tingdzin Ötro

Tingdzin Ötro began the practice and study of dharma at the Seattle Dharma Study Group in 1978. He first met the Vidyadhara and took refuge with him in 1979. In 1980 he began studying Tibetan with Cyrus Stearns, a translator at the Sakya Center in Seattle. He attended the 1982 Vajradhatu Seminary at Bedford Springs, PA, and the 1985 Kalapa Assembly at Rocky Mountain Dharma Center.

In 1986 Tingdzin moved to Karmê Chöling in order to finish Kagyü ngöndro, working there in the Practice Department. After the Vidyadhara’s cremation in 1987, he decided to attend yarne, an annual monastic retreat, at Gampo Abbey. In 1988 he received the initial level of monastic vows from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. After participating in a Tibetan summer intensive at the University of Virginia in 1990, he moved to Gampo Abbey. While at the Abbey, he completed the three-year retreat at Sopa Choling Retreat Centre under the direction of Thrangu Rinpoche.

In 1998 Tingdzin was invited to move to Halifax in order to work with the Nalanda Translation Committee. While working in Halifax, he remained a monk for a few years, but decided to return his monastic vows in 2005. He has traveled regularly to Gampo Abbey in order to teach retreatants at Sopa Choling. As a hobby, he enjoys singing in the choir of the Cathedral of All Saints in Halifax.