THE THIRD KARMAPA, RANGJUNG DORJE (1284-1339) was a scholar of fabled erudition. He mastered texts and teachings across sectarian boundaries, wrote treatises on medicine and astrology, built monasteries, and was spiritual advisor to the last Yuan emperor.
JAMGÖN KONGTRÜL (1813-1899) was a versatile and prolific scholar. He has been characterized as a "Tibetan Leonardo" because of his significant contributions to religion, education, medicine, and politics.
KARL BRUNNHÖLZL was trained as a physician and presently works as a Tibetan translator and Buddhist teacher. He studied Tibetology, Buddhology, and Sanskrit at Hamburg University and Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and practice at the Marpa Institute for Translators in Kathmandu. Currently he works as a translator and interpreter for Nalandabodhi and the Nitartha Institute. He is the author and translator of over 10 volumes on Buddhist philosophy.