Khenpo Shenga he undertook religious study at a relatively young age under the tutelage of Önpo Tenzin Norbu. Eventually he was recognized as an incarnation of that lama's uncle, a scholar named Gyalsé Shenphen Thayé. Upon the death of his guru, he remained at Gemang hermitage until 1902 when he was invited by the fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Thubten Chökyi Dorje, to teach at the Shri Singha Shedra at Dzogchen Monastery. His skill as a scholar soon burnished his reputation and attracted many students.
