Dear Sangha,
Reflecting on the three years that have passed since the parinirvana of our precious teacher, what I find most amazing is how immediate and accessible his presence remains to us as practitioners. In the first weeks, it was almost palpable, as if Rinpoche were actually sitting in the room but one’s attention was focused elsewhere. Now, for me, it is more pervasive, like a current of energy that reroutes my thoughts and emotions in a more beneficial direction and sometimes toward unexpected insights. Many people have vivid dreams of Rinpoche, which provide them with guidance and comfort. Most importantly, we continue to drink the pure blessing water from him as the source—the deep well—of our spiritual lineage.
Chagdud Rinpoche’s devotion for his own lineage lamas, his unwavering bodhisattva motivation, and his confidence that Vajrayana could be authentically practiced in the West firmly anchored his lineage transmissions in North and South America, in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Since November 2002, we have experienced the powerful continuity of his lineage in the Chagdud Gonpa sangha as a whole and as individual practitioners. Where we might have become lost and wandered in sorrow and darkness, we have instead continued illuminating our minds through contemplation and practice of the dharma.
Different lamas have different styles; Rinpoche’s was that of father guru of an extensive sangha family. When he first arrived in the United States, I warned him several times that many Westerners have uneasy relationships with their own families and might be dubious about his references to the sangha family. Of course, he was not swayed by my words and continued to emphasize harmony in the “family.” He himself fully embodied the role of a great and kind father whose values exert direct and indirect influence on all family relationships. For Rinpoche, core values included generosity, patience, genuine rejoicing in virtuous accomplishment, and long-term, deep-seated loyalty.
I feel Rinpoche would be quite satisfied with the activities carried out since his parinirvana, activities such as teachings, retreats, and ceremonies, the publication of books, and the creation of sacred structures and artwork. All of this represents enormous effort and cooperation by the Chagdud Gonpa lamas and sangha members. But most of all, I feel he would be pleased with the harmony within the sangha. Without it, the prospects for finding Rinpoche’s tulku would be remote indeed.
Many people have asked about Rinpoche’s tulku, and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche and I are in total accord about who will look: a lama in Tibet who is of utmost and unassailable integrity. We hope to have news next year, after certain pujas are completed.
On a very personal note, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by waves of loss, missing, longing, and nostalgia. In Portuguese there is a potent word that incorporates all of this: saudade. I am sure that many of you share these feelings. All of you hold part of Rinpoche’s story; I want to request again that you write or record your memories of Rinpoche before the details fade and send them to me or Gina Phelan at Rigdzin Ling. I am not sure what will come of this, but these gathered fragments are like unset gems, precious in their own right.
With affection and all best wishes,
Dear Sangha,
Reflecting on the three years that have passed since the parinirvana of our precious teacher, what I find most amazing is how immediate and accessible his presence remains to us as practitioners. In the first weeks, it was almost palpable, as if Rinpoche were actually sitting in the room but one’s attention was focused elsewhere. Now, for me, it is more pervasive, like a current of energy that reroutes my thoughts and emotions in a more beneficial direction and sometimes toward unexpected insights. Many people have vivid dreams of Rinpoche, which provide them with guidance and comfort. Most importantly, we continue to drink the pure blessing water from him as the source—the deep well—of our spiritual lineage.
Chagdud Rinpoche’s devotion for his own lineage lamas, his unwavering bodhisattva motivation, and his confidence that Vajrayana could be authentically practiced in the West firmly anchored his lineage transmissions in North and South America, in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Since November 2002, we have experienced the powerful continuity of his lineage in the Chagdud Gonpa sangha as a whole and as individual practitioners. Where we might have become lost and wandered in sorrow and darkness, we have instead continued illuminating our minds through contemplation and practice of the dharma.
Different lamas have different styles; Rinpoche’s was that of father guru of an extensive sangha family. When he first arrived in the United States, I warned him several times that many Westerners have uneasy relationships with their own families and might be dubious about his references to the sangha family. Of course, he was not swayed by my words and continued to emphasize harmony in the “family.” He himself fully embodied the role of a great and kind father whose values exert direct and indirect influence on all family relationships. For Rinpoche, core values included generosity, patience, genuine rejoicing in virtuous accomplishment, and long-term, deep-seated loyalty.
I feel Rinpoche would be quite satisfied with the activities carried out since his parinirvana, activities such as teachings, retreats, and ceremonies, the publication of books, and the creation of sacred structures and artwork. All of this represents enormous effort and cooperation by the Chagdud Gonpa lamas and sangha members. But most of all, I feel he would be pleased with the harmony within the sangha. Without it, the prospects for finding Rinpoche’s tulku would be remote indeed.
Many people have asked about Rinpoche’s tulku, and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche and I are in total accord about who will look: a lama in Tibet who is of utmost and unassailable integrity. We hope to have news next year, after certain pujas are completed.
On a very personal note, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by waves of loss, missing, longing, and nostalgia. In Portuguese there is a potent word that incorporates all of this: saudade. I am sure that many of you share these feelings. All of you hold part of Rinpoche’s story; I want to request again that you write or record your memories of Rinpoche before the details fade and send them to me or Gina Phelan at Rigdzin Ling. I am not sure what will come of this, but these gathered fragments are like unset gems, precious in their own right.
With affection and all best wishes,
Dear Sangha,
Reflecting on the three years that have passed since the parinirvana of our precious teacher, what I find most amazing is how immediate and accessible his presence remains to us as practitioners. In the first weeks, it was almost palpable, as if Rinpoche were actually sitting in the room but one’s attention was focused elsewhere. Now, for me, it is more pervasive, like a current of energy that reroutes my thoughts and emotions in a more beneficial direction and sometimes toward unexpected insights. Many people have vivid dreams of Rinpoche, which provide them with guidance and comfort. Most importantly, we continue to drink the pure blessing water from him as the source—the deep well—of our spiritual lineage.
Chagdud Rinpoche’s devotion for his own lineage lamas, his unwavering bodhisattva motivation, and his confidence that Vajrayana could be authentically practiced in the West firmly anchored his lineage transmissions in North and South America, in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Since November 2002, we have experienced the powerful continuity of his lineage in the Chagdud Gonpa sangha as a whole and as individual practitioners. Where we might have become lost and wandered in sorrow and darkness, we have instead continued illuminating our minds through contemplation and practice of the dharma.
Different lamas have different styles; Rinpoche’s was that of father guru of an extensive sangha family. When he first arrived in the United States, I warned him several times that many Westerners have uneasy relationships with their own families and might be dubious about his references to the sangha family. Of course, he was not swayed by my words and continued to emphasize harmony in the “family.” He himself fully embodied the role of a great and kind father whose values exert direct and indirect influence on all family relationships. For Rinpoche, core values included generosity, patience, genuine rejoicing in virtuous accomplishment, and long-term, deep-seated loyalty.
I feel Rinpoche would be quite satisfied with the activities carried out since his parinirvana, activities such as teachings, retreats, and ceremonies, the publication of books, and the creation of sacred structures and artwork. All of this represents enormous effort and cooperation by the Chagdud Gonpa lamas and sangha members. But most of all, I feel he would be pleased with the harmony within the sangha. Without it, the prospects for finding Rinpoche’s tulku would be remote indeed.
Many people have asked about Rinpoche’s tulku, and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche and I are in total accord about who will look: a lama in Tibet who is of utmost and unassailable integrity. We hope to have news next year, after certain pujas are completed.
On a very personal note, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by waves of loss, missing, longing, and nostalgia. In Portuguese there is a potent word that incorporates all of this: saudade. I am sure that many of you share these feelings. All of you hold part of Rinpoche’s story; I want to request again that you write or record your memories of Rinpoche before the details fade and send them to me or Gina Phelan at Rigdzin Ling. I am not sure what will come of this, but these gathered fragments are like unset gems, precious in their own right.
With affection and all best wishes,
Dear Sangha,
Reflecting on the three years that have passed since the parinirvana of our precious teacher, what I find most amazing is how immediate and accessible his presence remains to us as practitioners. In the first weeks, it was almost palpable, as if Rinpoche were actually sitting in the room but one’s attention was focused elsewhere. Now, for me, it is more pervasive, like a current of energy that reroutes my thoughts and emotions in a more beneficial direction and sometimes toward unexpected insights. Many people have vivid dreams of Rinpoche, which provide them with guidance and comfort. Most importantly, we continue to drink the pure blessing water from him as the source—the deep well—of our spiritual lineage.
Chagdud Rinpoche’s devotion for his own lineage lamas, his unwavering bodhisattva motivation, and his confidence that Vajrayana could be authentically practiced in the West firmly anchored his lineage transmissions in North and South America, in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Since November 2002, we have experienced the powerful continuity of his lineage in the Chagdud Gonpa sangha as a whole and as individual practitioners. Where we might have become lost and wandered in sorrow and darkness, we have instead continued illuminating our minds through contemplation and practice of the dharma.
Different lamas have different styles; Rinpoche’s was that of father guru of an extensive sangha family. When he first arrived in the United States, I warned him several times that many Westerners have uneasy relationships with their own families and might be dubious about his references to the sangha family. Of course, he was not swayed by my words and continued to emphasize harmony in the “family.” He himself fully embodied the role of a great and kind father whose values exert direct and indirect influence on all family relationships. For Rinpoche, core values included generosity, patience, genuine rejoicing in virtuous accomplishment, and long-term, deep-seated loyalty.
I feel Rinpoche would be quite satisfied with the activities carried out since his parinirvana, activities such as teachings, retreats, and ceremonies, the publication of books, and the creation of sacred structures and artwork. All of this represents enormous effort and cooperation by the Chagdud Gonpa lamas and sangha members. But most of all, I feel he would be pleased with the harmony within the sangha. Without it, the prospects for finding Rinpoche’s tulku would be remote indeed.
Many people have asked about Rinpoche’s tulku, and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche and I are in total accord about who will look: a lama in Tibet who is of utmost and unassailable integrity. We hope to have news next year, after certain pujas are completed.
On a very personal note, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by waves of loss, missing, longing, and nostalgia. In Portuguese there is a potent word that incorporates all of this: saudade. I am sure that many of you share these feelings. All of you hold part of Rinpoche’s story; I want to request again that you write or record your memories of Rinpoche before the details fade and send them to me or Gina Phelan at Rigdzin Ling. I am not sure what will come of this, but these gathered fragments are like unset gems, precious in their own right.
With affection and all best wishes,
Dear Sangha,
Reflecting on the three years that have passed since the parinirvana of our precious teacher, what I find most amazing is how immediate and accessible his presence remains to us as practitioners. In the first weeks, it was almost palpable, as if Rinpoche were actually sitting in the room but one’s attention was focused elsewhere. Now, for me, it is more pervasive, like a current of energy that reroutes my thoughts and emotions in a more beneficial direction and sometimes toward unexpected insights. Many people have vivid dreams of Rinpoche, which provide them with guidance and comfort. Most importantly, we continue to drink the pure blessing water from him as the source—the deep well—of our spiritual lineage.
Chagdud Rinpoche’s devotion for his own lineage lamas, his unwavering bodhisattva motivation, and his confidence that Vajrayana could be authentically practiced in the West firmly anchored his lineage transmissions in North and South America, in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Since November 2002, we have experienced the powerful continuity of his lineage in the Chagdud Gonpa sangha as a whole and as individual practitioners. Where we might have become lost and wandered in sorrow and darkness, we have instead continued illuminating our minds through contemplation and practice of the dharma.
Different lamas have different styles; Rinpoche’s was that of father guru of an extensive sangha family. When he first arrived in the United States, I warned him several times that many Westerners have uneasy relationships with their own families and might be dubious about his references to the sangha family. Of course, he was not swayed by my words and continued to emphasize harmony in the “family.” He himself fully embodied the role of a great and kind father whose values exert direct and indirect influence on all family relationships. For Rinpoche, core values included generosity, patience, genuine rejoicing in virtuous accomplishment, and long-term, deep-seated loyalty.
I feel Rinpoche would be quite satisfied with the activities carried out since his parinirvana, activities such as teachings, retreats, and ceremonies, the publication of books, and the creation of sacred structures and artwork. All of this represents enormous effort and cooperation by the Chagdud Gonpa lamas and sangha members. But most of all, I feel he would be pleased with the harmony within the sangha. Without it, the prospects for finding Rinpoche’s tulku would be remote indeed.
Many people have asked about Rinpoche’s tulku, and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche and I are in total accord about who will look: a lama in Tibet who is of utmost and unassailable integrity. We hope to have news next year, after certain pujas are completed.
On a very personal note, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by waves of loss, missing, longing, and nostalgia. In Portuguese there is a potent word that incorporates all of this: saudade. I am sure that many of you share these feelings. All of you hold part of Rinpoche’s story; I want to request again that you write or record your memories of Rinpoche before the details fade and send them to me or Gina Phelan at Rigdzin Ling. I am not sure what will come of this, but these gathered fragments are like unset gems, precious in their own right.
With affection and all best wishes,
