Tibetan monk’s body found after reported missing in US

By Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 9: A body matching the description of Geshe Tenzin Chodrak, also known as Dadul Namgyal, a 64-year-old Buddhist monk, was found by the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, following an extensive search operation by local authorities and the community. The elderly monk was reported missing from Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington on November 8, 2023.

The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement where they revealed that they received a call on January 3, at 2:34 PM from the Sravasti Abbey, reporting a body floating in a nearby pond. Investigators have subsequently identified the body’s clothing, matching the description of Geshe Tenzin Chodrak’s maroon robes and a jacket, which he was reported to be wearing at the time of his disappearance. 

The investigators have requested an autopsy to confirm the identity of the body found near the pond, estimated time of death, and determine the possible cause. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the monk’s death is ongoing.

Following a thorough search operation coordinated by local authorities in November, Geshe Chodrak’s family members took further measures to aid in locating the 64-year-old monk. They offered a reward of $25,000 in cash for any valuable information that could assist in finding Geshe Chodrak.

Geshe Tenzin Chodrak, highly regarded within the Buddhist community, joined Sravasti Abbey in May as the first resident male teacher. His expertise extended beyond teaching; he served as an English language translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Before his tenure at Sravasti Abbey, Geshe Tenzin Chodrak held the position of senior translator and interpreter at Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics.