Thubten Soepa was born on January 26,1973. In 1979, at the age of six, he joined Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India. He studied elementary Buddhist texts and later studied the Five Major treatise of Buddhist philosophy. Besides his regular studies, he also took a special course in Buddhist chants and rituals. He has mastered the making of butter sculptures and is qualified in performing religious chants and rituals. He is very well-versed in creating the Sand Mandala. (Photo by Robert Falcetti). .