Thomas Roth, or rather (Karma) Sherab Drime as he prefers to be called again since having been re-ordained, born in 1963, is a former Radio Operator (the only "proper" profession he ever learned) and became a monk in 1981. He took refuge in February 1977 from Lama Gendun Rinpoche and has been a student of Ven. Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche since February 1979. In 1989, following H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's advice, he returned his ordination to Lama Gendun Rinpoche and continued to practice as a lay-person until March 2012. He never intended to be a "interpreter or translator" as such and actually only learned Tibetan because in the late 70's and early 80's there were so few translators around, that it was at times difficult to find one when needed. Still a bit at odds with being called a translator by some, he used to interpret mainly for H.E. Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and the late Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche during their annual spring courses in Kathmandu and their summer courses in Germany and Belgium. Since the passing of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche in March 2012, and H.E. Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche's English having improved so much that he doesn't require an interpreter any longer, he considers himself semi-retired and spends most of his time in retreat either in Yolmo or Lapchi. Rather than being called a translator, he prefers to be known as a simple practitioner. His main interest, apart from anything Mahamudra, is Tibetan history, particularly the histories of the various Dagpo Kagyu lineages, the Shangpa Kagyu lineage in particular and how it suffused virtually all lineages of Buddhism in Tibet, and the Jonang school. In 2012 he took full Gelong ordination from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and, technically, now answers to the name Karma Lodrö Samphel. (Source Accessed March 1, 2021)
