Dear Friends and Students,
I am very happy to let you know that today I passed the test to qualify for U.S. citizenship. This is a very important day in my life, since I will soon be able to travel outside the United States to visit and teach my students in many parts of the world. I worked hard during the past year to study for the exam which has questions about U.S. laws, history and geography. With the help of my students and other caring people, I was well prepared and answered all of the questions correctly.  Now the last step to receiving my American citizenship is to go to the swearing in ceremony, probably a couple of months from now.  And then I will invite all of you to join me and celebrate this very big event in my life!  I am very thankful for all the support I have received from many of you during the past seven years to become a resident and now a citizen of this country. I hope and pray that as a result, I will be able to be of benefit to many sentient beings.
Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, October 19th, 2017 Facebook Post. 
Editor’s Notes:  The quote above is from Rinpoche’s facebook post from Oct. 19, 2017.   Rinpoche went to San Jose on Thursday, October 19th, for his U.S. Citizenship interview and test.   It was a day he has been working towards for more than 5 years, with the support of many students.  Special thanks to Heidi, Stephanie, and Lynn who took Rinpoche to the test, and who coached him, tested him, and helped him study, as well as helping with his arm pain and physical health–many thanks to our good hearted Sangha.