[1] The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2005, for his contributions to literature.
[1] After matriculating from the Sir Tyashi Namgyal High School (present day Tashi Namgyal Academy) in 1956 and, getting selected for the education initiative as a part of the 7 Year Development Programme of the government, secured a diploma in Engineering from MBC Institute of Engineering, Burdwan in West Bengal, in 1959.
[1] Lama started writing from his school days and is reported to have been inspired by one of his teachers, Rashmi Prasad Alley, a writer and one of the pioneers of Nepali education in Sikkim.
[5] He published his first short story anthology, Katha Sampad, in 1971,[6] composed of stories such as Swasni Manchey, Khani Tarma Ekdin, Phurbhale Gaun Chadyo and Asinapo Manchey, which has since been selected as a prescribed text for the civil services examination of the Union Public Service Commission.
[2] He has also written an autobiographical novel, Himalchuli Manitira, a travelogue, Aangan Paratira, a poem anthology, Jahan BagcchaTista Rangit and two translated religious works, Bhagawan Bhiddha Jeewan ra Darshan and Guru Padmasambhava.