Khenpo Pem Tsheri Sherpa was born in Nepal and lived from the age of nine at Namdroling Monastery in India. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche himself extended the invitation for Khenpo Pem’s education, and thereafter looked after him as his own child. In 2011, Khenpo Pem completed the nine-year course at the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (Shedra), where he was awarded the title “Lopon,” or Acharya, i.e. recognition as a highly qualified Dharma teacher, able to guide others toward the path to enlightenment. In 2018, he received the degree of Khenpo (Ph.D. in Buddhist Philosophy) from H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche in the presence of over 4000 monks and nuns at Namdroling Monastery.

At the Palyul Retreat Center in New York, Khenpo Pem has taught the fifth-year Trekchod class. Khenpo Pem has also been invited to teach in a number of countries in Asia and Europe. Along with his knowledge of Sutra and Tantra, he is also known for his accomplishment in ritual prayers, music, and sacred dance.