Khenchen 堪欽 / 堪千 / 大堪布

Khenchen (Wyl. mkhan chen) is a title given to khenpos who show great quality in the way they keep their vows, in their learnedness, and the breadth of their activities for the Dharma. This is a very special distinction not easily given. For example at Namdroling monastery, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche enthroned three khenchens (Khenpo Pema Sherab, Khenpo Namdrol and Khenpo Tsewang Gyatso) for more than seventy khenpos. The hat they receive and wear at their enthronement is a khenpo hat ornamented with three golden stripes.