Senge, a native of New York state, was recognised as a gifted painter when still in his teens, and was invited to attend the prestigious Art Students League in New York City. Senge later travelled to Toronto in 1967 where he met and began studying with Namgyal Rinpoche (then Bikkhu Ananda Bodhi). Senge received ordination in the Karma Kargyu tradition from His Venerable Sonam SengeHoliness the 16th Karmapa. He has also been ordained in the way of the elders (Theravadin tradition) by Sayadaw U Thila Wanta of Burma.