Senge, received ordination in the Karma Kagyu tradition from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. He has also been ordained in the way of the elders (Theravadin Tradition) by Sayadaw U Thila Wanta of Burma. His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (of the Sakya tradition) asked Senge to begin giving Wonkurs. Venerable Sonam Senge is an author and artist. He lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia where he teaches and practises the Dharma.