Murray State University's Social Work Department presents the Venerable Tsering Phuntsok in "Compassion & The Interconnectivity of All Life" as part of its Social Work Lecture Series on Religious Diversity: Finding the Commonalities on Wednesday, February 21, at 4 pm in the Alexander Hall Auditorium on MSU's main campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Tsering is a practicing Buddhist monk who entered the monastery in Bir, India, in 1987 at the age of 16. He studied and practiced the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, receiving training in meditation, Buddhist scripture/philosophy, tantric ritual, lama dancing, and music.

The Nyingmapa, a Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, incorporates local religious practices and local deities and elements of shamanism, which is shared with Bon. The group particularly believes in hidden terma treasures. Tsering has received many tantric empowerments and sutra teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many other High Lamas, including the late H.H. Penor Rinpoche.