Lama Sonam Jamtsho fulfilled the wish of his teacher, Chatral Rinpochhe, by establishing a monastery in the remote sacred valley of Beyul Langdrak. Recognizing the need for income to sustain the project, he founded an incense factory, humorously remarking, “My business is monk.” Drawing on his entrepreneurial skills, he sourced nearly all ingredients from the valley’s abundant medicinal plants. In 2014, he was honoured with the Loden Entrepreneur of the Year Award, as the incense factory became not only a financial success but also a model of altruism—creating jobs for poor families and supporting the education of young monks. With humility, Lama Sonam proudly shows the monastery’s new kitchen, refectory, and guesthouse, facilities that now shelter monks from the rain and snow. Balancing his monastic duties with enterprise, he can often be seen in Thimphu seeking new customers, proving that religious devotion and entrepreneurship can coexist. Lama Sonam demonstrates that spiritual leaders can, in fact, be among the most impactful contributors to an altruistic economy.
Biography
Lama Sonam Jamtsho fulfilled the wish of his teacher, Chatral Rinpochhe, by establishing a monastery in the remote sacred valley of Beyul Langdrak. Recognizing the need for income to sustain the project, he founded an incense factory, humorously remarking, “My business is monk.” Drawing on his entrepreneurial skills, he sourced nearly all ingredients from the valley’s abundant medicinal plants. In 2014, he was honoured with the Loden Entrepreneur of the Year Award, as the incense factory became not only a financial success but also a model of altruism—creating jobs for poor families and supporting the education of young monks. With humility, Lama Sonam proudly shows the monastery’s new kitchen, refectory, and guesthouse, facilities that now shelter monks from the rain and snow. Balancing his monastic duties with enterprise, he can often be seen in Thimphu seeking new customers, proving that religious devotion and entrepreneurship can coexist. Lama Sonam demonstrates that spiritual leaders can, in fact, be among the most impactful contributors to an altruistic economy.