In Memoriam
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Last night, I got the call that Lama Gyatso had passed away. I am so glad for him and for all of us who knew him. I know that with every last breath, every last moment, he was in meditation and dedicating whatever merit might come from his life AND death to all of us. I know he knew what he was doing, and he died in the presence of his most beloved teacher.
In the last years of his life, I didn't see him much. In fact, the last time I remember seeing him is at the end of Tools for Peace Camp last year. Yet, it doesn't matter. Not because I didn't love him, not because he didn't love me, but because there is never separation. We have remained connected in the dharma, and we will continue to be.
I'm so grateful for his unconditional acceptance, the inspiration of his egolessness, and his indefatigable commitment to those around him. It is in the spirit of becoming more like him -- and Chhoje Rinpoche -- that I became a teacher. Though I may never manifest enlightenment in the way they do, I take comfort in knowing that my heart is the same.
Thank you, Lama, for your teachings, and more importantly for your example. I pray that your sangha will follow your example and not just the rites and words of your teachings or texts. I pray that the peace and openness you had for all beings will continue through all of us who knew you. Thank you for giving me one of the most defining periods of my life, in Sikkim. I have never been the same since then, and I know it was you who magnetized that. I know I have been thankless and you loved me anyway. Thank you for continuing to live in my heart. I will do my best to honor you in body, speech, and mind.
OM MANI PADMA HUNG
OM VAJRA SATTVA HUNG
GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA
Onward.
.
Last night, I got the call that Lama Gyatso had passed away. I am so glad for him and for all of us who knew him. I know that with every last breath, every last moment, he was in meditation and dedicating whatever merit might come from his life AND death to all of us. I know he knew what he was doing, and he died in the presence of his most beloved teacher.
In the last years of his life, I didn't see him much. In fact, the last time I remember seeing him is at the end of Tools for Peace Camp last year. Yet, it doesn't matter. Not because I didn't love him, not because he didn't love me, but because there is never separation. We have remained connected in the dharma, and we will continue to be.
I'm so grateful for his unconditional acceptance, the inspiration of his egolessness, and his indefatigable commitment to those around him. It is in the spirit of becoming more like him -- and Chhoje Rinpoche -- that I became a teacher. Though I may never manifest enlightenment in the way they do, I take comfort in knowing that my heart is the same.
Thank you, Lama, for your teachings, and more importantly for your example. I pray that your sangha will follow your example and not just the rites and words of your teachings or texts. I pray that the peace and openness you had for all beings will continue through all of us who knew you. Thank you for giving me one of the most defining periods of my life, in Sikkim. I have never been the same since then, and I know it was you who magnetized that. I know I have been thankless and you loved me anyway. Thank you for continuing to live in my heart. I will do my best to honor you in body, speech, and mind.
OM MANI PADMA HUNG
OM VAJRA SATTVA HUNG
GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA
Onward.
.