Geshe Sonam Wangdui
Geshe Sonam Wangdui was born in Sangchung village, Tehsil Lahri, in Tibet, in 1930, and entered the monastery close to his home when he was seven. In June 1959 he went into exile in India, first in Assam State and later in the Tibetan settlement of Mundgod in Karnataka State. In Mundgod, he was in charge of monastery construction and he worked in the administration of Ganden Jangtse Monastery.
In 1976, Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche appointed Geshe Sonam Wangdui to take care of Tabo Monastery and to teach Tibetan there, together with Geshe Yeshe Chhodan. In 1977, Geshe Sonam Wangdui completed his Geshe degree at Ganden Jangtse Monastery.
Geshe Sonam Wangdui was appointed Abbot of Tabo Monastery. He held this position until he passed away on 11 August 2013. During this period, he advanced the monastic life and Buddhist studies at Tabo, establishing a school and the monastery hostel, as well as planting many trees.