Lama Pema Tenzin is a native of East Bhutan, born at an ancient monastery established by Sangye Lingpa. At the age of 6, Lama Pema began to study with his father Lama Kunzang Garwang, one of the most renowned yogis in Bhutan, learning Buddhist philosophy and ritual. At the age of 13, he began to study traditional Tibetan and Bhutanese arts with his teachers Bhuli Tulku Rinpoche, and Loppen Urgyen Lhundrup, learning the complicated task of thangka paintings, sand mandalas, and stupa construction.

Lama Pema Tenzin is a master of meditation, ritual and chant, with great expertise in the Long Chen Nyin Thig, Chod system, Dudjom and Pegyal Lingpa lineages. In addition, Lama Pema has studied mandala directly under the tutelage of Terton Pedgyal Lingpa Rinpoche.

In recent years Lama Pema has been in residence at several meditation centers in California, and continues to travel extensively through out America, where he conducts mandala art classes, meditation retreats, and private instruction.

Lama Pema Tenzin has numerous paintings in permanent and private collections throughout the United States Europe and Asia. Lama Pema's work is in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and he has had the honor of creating a beautiful commissioned sixty foot ceremonial Shakyamuni Buddha thanka for the Dalai Lama (photos coming soon).