Tulku Ngawang Sonam
Doctoral Student
Education:
- University of Virginia - PhD, Religious Studies (anticipated Spring 2025)
- University of Virginia - MA, Religious Studies (2021)
- Gelugpa University, India - Completed Geshe Lharampa degree (Equivalent to PhD in Buddhist Philosophy) (2015)
- Dissertation title: A Detailed Analysis of Madhyamakāvatāra and Its Auto-Commentary: The Ornament of Brilliance (in Tibetan: Dbu ma la ’jug pa rang ’grel dang bcas pa gsal bar bshad pa blo gsal dga’ ba’i rgyan)
- Gelugpa University, India – Lopön degree (Equivalent to M.A. in Buddhist Philosophy) (2012)
- Gelugpa University, India - Karampa degree (Equivalent to B.A. in Buddhist Philosophy) (2010)
Research Interests:
- East and South Asian intellectual and cultural history
- Tibetan literature and poetry
- Asian religion and philosophy
- Philology and Textual criticism
- Translation and transmission of Buddhist and Hindu philosophical literature
- Buddhist Ethics
Research Languages
- Tibetan (native), English, Sanskrit, Hindi
Teaching Experience
- Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia (2018-2024)
- Introduction to Asian Religions (Spring 2024)
- Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Fall 2023, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018)
- Introduction to Buddhism, (Spring 2020, Spring 2019)
- Lecturer, University of Virginia, (2024 - 2025)
- RELB 5470, Literary Tibetan V (Fall 2024)
Publications
- Roar of the Turquoise Dragon, a collection of poetry based on Kāvyādarśa style, self-published in India, 2003 (in Tibetan).
- Spirit of the Snow Mountain Goddess, a collection of poetry based on Kāvyādarśa style, self-published in India, 2005 (in Tibetan).
- The Rules and Regulations of Gaden Jangtse Monastic University (Edited work), published by the Gaden Jangtse Monastery University, 2011 (in Tibetan).
Awards and Grants
- The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (administered by ACLS) (2022)
- Khyentse Foundation Travel Grant (2023)
- The Dalai Lama Graduate Scholarship (2024-2025)
Selected Conference Activity
- Keynote speaker at International Seminar of Young Tibetologists at University of Virginia (August 2022)
- Keynote Address: What Tibetan Studies Academics Can Learn from the Tibetan Traditional Education System and Vice-Versa
- American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas (November 2023)
- Paper title: “Chapa Chökyi Sengé’s Doxographical Work and Its Influence”
- Robert H. N. Ho family Foundation’s Early Career Retreat hosted by American Council of Learned Societies, Mexico City, Mexico (August 2024)