Khenpo Kalsang Nyima received the ordination vows at the age of 17. He graduated from the Kagyu Gochey Monastery’s Retreat Centre, having completed his three-year and three-month retreat and practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa.
He joined Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute in India. He received teachings of Buddhist philosophies from Khen Rinpoche Kunga Wangchuk and Khen Rinpoche Jamyang Losel. After completing a nine year-course of Buddhist philosophies, he received his khenpo degree. Thereafter, Khenpo taught Buddhist philosophies to the monks of Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute for two years. He also took up the responsibility of a disciplinary master.
In 2004, His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Director of Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (KSNI) at that time, summoned Khenpo to KSNI at the main seat of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje to teach the monks as a khenpo (abbot).
In 2007, Khenpo was appointed as Principal of KSNI by H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche and General Secretary Dilyak Drubpon Rinpoche. He shouldered all internal and external responsibilities.
In 2016, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and the then Director of KSNI, H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, approved unanimously to appoint Khenpo as the new director of KSNI.
Since 2004, Khenpo has been performing the chief disciplinary master position for the annual International Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya.
Since Khenpo received his ordination, he has received teachings and empowerments from many great masters from different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the Karma Kagyu lineage, he received different teachings and empowerments including from His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, the 12th Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, the 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, the 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, and Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche.
Before his three-year and three-month retreat in the Kagyu Gochey Monastery, he also became learned in practicing different rituals, including chanting, making torma, and performing the lama dance.
During his retreat in the Kagyu Gochey Monastery, Khenpo practiced the Six Yogas of Naropa and Mahamudra. He received empowerments from great masters Nangchen Gyalse Aachen Rinpoche, Sange Tenzin Rinpoche, and Salga Rinpoche and teachings from his great retreat master Tenzin Dondrub, master Karma Phuntsok, master Ape, and master Lhundrub.
He received the Kalachakra and other empowerments together with many teachings from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of the Gelug lineage. He also took the Lamdre and many other empowerments and teachings from His Holiness the Sakya Trichen of the Sakya lineage. Furthermore, he spent two years receiving many teachings and empowerments from Mewa Khenpo Tupten Özer Rinpoche of the Nyingma lineage.
