About Yogi Chen
Lived 1906 – 1987 (aged 80–81). Yogi Chen was a writer, hermit and yogi.
Chen Chien Ming (; 1906–1987), also known as Yogi C. M. Chen or simply as Yogi Chen, was a Chinese hermit who lived in Kalimpong, India, from 1947 until 1972, when he moved to the United States, where he lived for the remainder of his life.
According to Ole Nydahl, Chen had, in his youth in China, been terrified of death and had at first practiced Taoist life-extending exercises. Later he turned to Buddhism and, in search of teachings, went to Tibet, where he spent several years living in a cave.
Sangharakshita regarded Chen as one of his teachers, and together with Khantipalo helped him compile Buddhist Meditation, Systematic and Practical. Both Sangharakshita and Khantipalo describe Chen as "eccentric."
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Important facts
People in Yogi Chen's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Yogi Chen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Yogi Chen?
Chinese hermit
When was Yogi Chen born?
Yogi Chen was born in 1906.
When did Yogi Chen die?
Yogi Chen died in 1987.
What was Yogi Chen's occupation?
Yogi Chen was a writer, hermit and yogi.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Yogi Chen. https://biography.guide/yogi-chen/
MLA: "Yogi Chen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/yogi-chen/.
Chicago: "Yogi Chen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/yogi-chen/.
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