When Tony Leitner, a dear friend and sangha member, died at his home on November 4, 1996, impermanence, a central theme of the Buddhadharma, struck deeply and close to home. All who heard of Tony’s sudden passing could only respond in shock and sadness. It was Tony who first invited H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to Los Angeles in 1986. He then took responsibility for the formation and development of T’hondup Ling. He handled the immigration process that enabled Lama Chödrak Gyatso, who is now our resident lama, to come to the United States. Throughout the years, all of the Los Angeles dharma centers have relied upon Tony time and again for advice and guidance, and he will be greatly missed. Since his passing occurred just before a dream yoga retreat held in Los Angeles, Chagdud Rinpoche was in town and was able to visit the mortuary and perform chod practice to dispel obstacles. Lama Gyatso personally oversaw the details of Tony’s care in the forty-nine days following his death. Starting with the funeral ceremony at the mortuary and continuing for six consecutive Sundays, Lama Gyatso led extensive Red Vajrasattva practices during which large tsogs and butterlamp offerings were made on Tony’s behalf. On the second to last Sunday, ashes from the cremation were purified during an elaborate ceremony, mixed with clay, and formed into tza-tsas. On the last Sunday, Lama Gyatso performed a final blessing and removal of obstacles, and the tza-tsas were cast into the ocean. Having been a close friend of Tony’s and having taken part in the forty-nine-day practice, I felt a deep appreciation for what had occurred. For the past twenty years, Tony had made great efforts to bring the dharma to this country, knowing there would be benefit, and in his own passing we saw tangible signs of that benefit. We are fortunate in the West to know lamas like Chagdud Rinpoche and Lama Gyatso who have received traditional Buddhist training and possess the skills necessary to benefit us during the critical time of our death. Lama Gyatso has decided to make these extensive fortynine-day ceremonies available in Los Angeles to sangha members and to any of the general public who might be interested. Please contact T’hondup Ling for details.
Don Delaquil
While on pilgrimage I received word of Tony’s passing and wrote this simple poem:
The day before election day
You elect to withdraw your ballot.
The day before election day
You make a choice much more profound.
As I arrive in Kathmandu,
You arise from evening slumber.
As I make my way through customs,
You make your morning tea.
As I reach the Great Stupa of Boudhanath,
You enter your final meditation.
My heart leaps at the sight
Of the eyes of transcendence.
Your heart leaps as you enter the bardo of knowing.
No turning back,
Our guides are ever with us.
No turning back from choices this complete.
Your journey ends In a lotus to remind us
Our journey begins
In that garden ever sweet.
LeRoy Griggs
When Tony Leitner, a dear friend and sangha member, died at his home on November 4, 1996, impermanence, a central theme of the Buddhadharma, struck deeply and close to home. All who heard of Tony’s sudden passing could only respond in shock and sadness. It was Tony who first invited H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to Los Angeles in 1986. He then took responsibility for the formation and development of T’hondup Ling. He handled the immigration process that enabled Lama Chödrak Gyatso, who is now our resident lama, to come to the United States. Throughout the years, all of the Los Angeles dharma centers have relied upon Tony time and again for advice and guidance, and he will be greatly missed. Since his passing occurred just before a dream yoga retreat held in Los Angeles, Chagdud Rinpoche was in town and was able to visit the mortuary and perform chod practice to dispel obstacles. Lama Gyatso personally oversaw the details of Tony’s care in the forty-nine days following his death. Starting with the funeral ceremony at the mortuary and continuing for six consecutive Sundays, Lama Gyatso led extensive Red Vajrasattva practices during which large tsogs and butterlamp offerings were made on Tony’s behalf. On the second to last Sunday, ashes from the cremation were purified during an elaborate ceremony, mixed with clay, and formed into tza-tsas. On the last Sunday, Lama Gyatso performed a final blessing and removal of obstacles, and the tza-tsas were cast into the ocean. Having been a close friend of Tony’s and having taken part in the forty-nine-day practice, I felt a deep appreciation for what had occurred. For the past twenty years, Tony had made great efforts to bring the dharma to this country, knowing there would be benefit, and in his own passing we saw tangible signs of that benefit. We are fortunate in the West to know lamas like Chagdud Rinpoche and Lama Gyatso who have received traditional Buddhist training and possess the skills necessary to benefit us during the critical time of our death. Lama Gyatso has decided to make these extensive fortynine-day ceremonies available in Los Angeles to sangha members and to any of the general public who might be interested. Please contact T’hondup Ling for details.
Don Delaquil
While on pilgrimage I received word of Tony’s passing and wrote this simple poem:
The day before election day
You elect to withdraw your ballot.
The day before election day
You make a choice much more profound.
As I arrive in Kathmandu,
You arise from evening slumber.
As I make my way through customs,
You make your morning tea.
As I reach the Great Stupa of Boudhanath,
You enter your final meditation.
My heart leaps at the sight
Of the eyes of transcendence.
Your heart leaps as you enter the bardo of knowing.
No turning back,
Our guides are ever with us.
No turning back from choices this complete.
Your journey ends In a lotus to remind us
Our journey begins
In that garden ever sweet.
LeRoy Griggs
When Tony Leitner, a dear friend and sangha member, died at his home on November 4, 1996, impermanence, a central theme of the Buddhadharma, struck deeply and close to home. All who heard of Tony’s sudden passing could only respond in shock and sadness. It was Tony who first invited H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to Los Angeles in 1986. He then took responsibility for the formation and development of T’hondup Ling. He handled the immigration process that enabled Lama Chödrak Gyatso, who is now our resident lama, to come to the United States. Throughout the years, all of the Los Angeles dharma centers have relied upon Tony time and again for advice and guidance, and he will be greatly missed. Since his passing occurred just before a dream yoga retreat held in Los Angeles, Chagdud Rinpoche was in town and was able to visit the mortuary and perform chod practice to dispel obstacles. Lama Gyatso personally oversaw the details of Tony’s care in the forty-nine days following his death. Starting with the funeral ceremony at the mortuary and continuing for six consecutive Sundays, Lama Gyatso led extensive Red Vajrasattva practices during which large tsogs and butterlamp offerings were made on Tony’s behalf. On the second to last Sunday, ashes from the cremation were purified during an elaborate ceremony, mixed with clay, and formed into tza-tsas. On the last Sunday, Lama Gyatso performed a final blessing and removal of obstacles, and the tza-tsas were cast into the ocean. Having been a close friend of Tony’s and having taken part in the forty-nine-day practice, I felt a deep appreciation for what had occurred. For the past twenty years, Tony had made great efforts to bring the dharma to this country, knowing there would be benefit, and in his own passing we saw tangible signs of that benefit. We are fortunate in the West to know lamas like Chagdud Rinpoche and Lama Gyatso who have received traditional Buddhist training and possess the skills necessary to benefit us during the critical time of our death. Lama Gyatso has decided to make these extensive fortynine-day ceremonies available in Los Angeles to sangha members and to any of the general public who might be interested. Please contact T’hondup Ling for details.
Don Delaquil
While on pilgrimage I received word of Tony’s passing and wrote this simple poem:
The day before election day
You elect to withdraw your ballot.
The day before election day
You make a choice much more profound.
As I arrive in Kathmandu,
You arise from evening slumber.
As I make my way through customs,
You make your morning tea.
As I reach the Great Stupa of Boudhanath,
You enter your final meditation.
My heart leaps at the sight
Of the eyes of transcendence.
Your heart leaps as you enter the bardo of knowing.
No turning back,
Our guides are ever with us.
No turning back from choices this complete.
Your journey ends In a lotus to remind us
Our journey begins
In that garden ever sweet.
LeRoy Griggs
When Tony Leitner, a dear friend and sangha member, died at his home on November 4, 1996, impermanence, a central theme of the Buddhadharma, struck deeply and close to home. All who heard of Tony’s sudden passing could only respond in shock and sadness. It was Tony who first invited H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to Los Angeles in 1986. He then took responsibility for the formation and development of T’hondup Ling. He handled the immigration process that enabled Lama Chödrak Gyatso, who is now our resident lama, to come to the United States. Throughout the years, all of the Los Angeles dharma centers have relied upon Tony time and again for advice and guidance, and he will be greatly missed. Since his passing occurred just before a dream yoga retreat held in Los Angeles, Chagdud Rinpoche was in town and was able to visit the mortuary and perform chod practice to dispel obstacles. Lama Gyatso personally oversaw the details of Tony’s care in the forty-nine days following his death. Starting with the funeral ceremony at the mortuary and continuing for six consecutive Sundays, Lama Gyatso led extensive Red Vajrasattva practices during which large tsogs and butterlamp offerings were made on Tony’s behalf. On the second to last Sunday, ashes from the cremation were purified during an elaborate ceremony, mixed with clay, and formed into tza-tsas. On the last Sunday, Lama Gyatso performed a final blessing and removal of obstacles, and the tza-tsas were cast into the ocean. Having been a close friend of Tony’s and having taken part in the forty-nine-day practice, I felt a deep appreciation for what had occurred. For the past twenty years, Tony had made great efforts to bring the dharma to this country, knowing there would be benefit, and in his own passing we saw tangible signs of that benefit. We are fortunate in the West to know lamas like Chagdud Rinpoche and Lama Gyatso who have received traditional Buddhist training and possess the skills necessary to benefit us during the critical time of our death. Lama Gyatso has decided to make these extensive fortynine-day ceremonies available in Los Angeles to sangha members and to any of the general public who might be interested. Please contact T’hondup Ling for details.
Don Delaquil
While on pilgrimage I received word of Tony’s passing and wrote this simple poem:
The day before election day
You elect to withdraw your ballot.
The day before election day
You make a choice much more profound.
As I arrive in Kathmandu,
You arise from evening slumber.
As I make my way through customs,
You make your morning tea.
As I reach the Great Stupa of Boudhanath,
You enter your final meditation.
My heart leaps at the sight
Of the eyes of transcendence.
Your heart leaps as you enter the bardo of knowing.
No turning back,
Our guides are ever with us.
No turning back from choices this complete.
Your journey ends In a lotus to remind us
Our journey begins
In that garden ever sweet.
LeRoy Griggs
When Tony Leitner, a dear friend and sangha member, died at his home on November 4, 1996, impermanence, a central theme of the Buddhadharma, struck deeply and close to home. All who heard of Tony’s sudden passing could only respond in shock and sadness. It was Tony who first invited H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche to Los Angeles in 1986. He then took responsibility for the formation and development of T’hondup Ling. He handled the immigration process that enabled Lama Chödrak Gyatso, who is now our resident lama, to come to the United States. Throughout the years, all of the Los Angeles dharma centers have relied upon Tony time and again for advice and guidance, and he will be greatly missed. Since his passing occurred just before a dream yoga retreat held in Los Angeles, Chagdud Rinpoche was in town and was able to visit the mortuary and perform chod practice to dispel obstacles. Lama Gyatso personally oversaw the details of Tony’s care in the forty-nine days following his death. Starting with the funeral ceremony at the mortuary and continuing for six consecutive Sundays, Lama Gyatso led extensive Red Vajrasattva practices during which large tsogs and butterlamp offerings were made on Tony’s behalf. On the second to last Sunday, ashes from the cremation were purified during an elaborate ceremony, mixed with clay, and formed into tza-tsas. On the last Sunday, Lama Gyatso performed a final blessing and removal of obstacles, and the tza-tsas were cast into the ocean. Having been a close friend of Tony’s and having taken part in the forty-nine-day practice, I felt a deep appreciation for what had occurred. For the past twenty years, Tony had made great efforts to bring the dharma to this country, knowing there would be benefit, and in his own passing we saw tangible signs of that benefit. We are fortunate in the West to know lamas like Chagdud Rinpoche and Lama Gyatso who have received traditional Buddhist training and possess the skills necessary to benefit us during the critical time of our death. Lama Gyatso has decided to make these extensive fortynine-day ceremonies available in Los Angeles to sangha members and to any of the general public who might be interested. Please contact T’hondup Ling for details.
Don Delaquil
While on pilgrimage I received word of Tony’s passing and wrote this simple poem:
The day before election day
You elect to withdraw your ballot.
The day before election day
You make a choice much more profound.
As I arrive in Kathmandu,
You arise from evening slumber.
As I make my way through customs,
You make your morning tea.
As I reach the Great Stupa of Boudhanath,
You enter your final meditation.
My heart leaps at the sight
Of the eyes of transcendence.
Your heart leaps as you enter the bardo of knowing.
No turning back,
Our guides are ever with us.
No turning back from choices this complete.
Your journey ends In a lotus to remind us
Our journey begins
In that garden ever sweet.
LeRoy Griggs
