Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

Lecturer in Tibetan

Office: 502-G Kent Hall

Office Hours: By appointment
Email: st2855@columbia.edu

Educational Background

PhD: Columbia University
MTS: Harvard University
MA: Central University for Tibetan Studies

Classes Taught 

TIBTW UN1410 First Year Classical Tibetan I

TIBTW UN1411 First Year Classical Tibetan II

TIBTW UN2412 Second Year Classical Tibetan I

TIBTW UN2413 Second Year Classical Tibetan II

TIBTW UN2710 Advanced Literary Tibetan I

TIBTW UN2711 Advanced Literary Tibetan II

Research Interests

Tibetan Studies, Religion, and Buddhist Studies

Sonam Tsering Ngulphu has taught topics on religion, Buddhist philosophy, and Tibetan language and literature at monasteries and modern educational institutions in India and the US. He had previously worked as the managing editor of Tibet Journal, an academic quarterly on Tibetan studies, where he also co-edited thematic series on Tibet and British Raj, Tibetan monuments, and a fourteen-issue history of Tibetan art.

Sonam’s doctoral dissertation examined the eighteen-volume Collected Works of Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419) to assess the role of the texts in the formation of Geluk School in Tibet during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It studied the significant roles that Je Tsongkhapa’s writings have played in establishing doctrinal authority, defining philosophical boundaries, postulating intellectual identity, and reorienting monastic education for Tibet’s largest school of thought and philosophy.

Trained in several languages, Sonam specializes in translation and interpretation with a focus on classical Tibetan Buddhist texts.

Selected Publications

Precious Garland: Buddhist Polity on Life and Liberation (Rājaparikathāratnāvali, Trans & Annot. LTWA, 2014)

Verses of Naga King Drum (Nāgarājabherīgāthā, Trans. 8400, 2020)

Select Biographies, The Treasury of Lives: Biographical Encyclopedia of Tibet, Inner Asia, and the Himalayas. ‘Select Biographies’ include entries published with the National Endowment of Humanities (NEH) Grant (New York: Treasury of Lives, 2018–2023).  See https://treasuryoflives.org/search/by_author/.-Sonam-Tsering-Ngulphu [Entries 14th–21st Century]: Horkhang Sonam Pelbar (1919–1994); The Third Penor, Lekshe Chokyi Drayang (1932–2009); Karma Chopel (1930–1999); The Third Belmang, Jamyang Tenzin Gyatso (1854–1919); The Fourth Belmang, Jigme Tsultrim Namgyel (1918/1920–1957);  The Sixth Ling Rinpoche, Thupten Lungtok Namgyal Trinley (1903–1983); Dondrub Rinchen (1309–1385); Khyenrab Norbu (1883–1962); Lobzang Wanggyel (1920–2003); Pawo Wangchuk Tengpa Lobzang Nyima (1895?–1964); Śākya Yeshe (1354–1435); Takla Norbu (1889–1958); Tenzin Chodrak (1924–2001); Tubten Lhundrub (1906–1955); and Umapa Tsondru Sengge (14th–15th cent.).

Tibet Journal (Managing Editor, 2001–2004)

Tshan rig dus deb (Assistant Editor, 2001–2003)

Tibet Journal (A Quarterly Academic Journal on Tibet Studies), Managing Editor, Vol. 26, No. iii & iv–Vol. 29, No. iv (Dharamsala: LTWA, 2001–2004).

Tshan rig dus deb (A Science Journal for Monks), Assistant Editor, Vol. 1– Vol. 6 (Dharamsala: LTWA, 2001–2003).