Letter to the Sangha on the occasion of Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche's Parinirvana
Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche was one of the kindest and most authentic hidden yogi practitioners in our generation. From a very young age to the end of his life, he was completely authentic, humble and devoted one hundred percent to dharma and his root guru. Rinpoche inspired and touched everyone who met him!
Rinpoche held the Dudjom lineage impeccably, as well as the complete expansive anu yoga lineage. For Rinpoche's extensive biography click here. All over the world, so many dharma centers depended on his sublime wisdom and ability to teach students the profound Vajrayana practices, as evidenced from the outpouring of genuine praise and devotion they are expressing. Truly amazing! Think of the selfless activity of this most kind and realized being!
We at the Vajrayana Foundation owe Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche a deep heartfelt debt of gratitude. He was one of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche's best friends. During his life, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche trusted Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche completely to teach Pema Osel Ling's students all stages of practice, including the most advanced tsa-lung practices. After Lama Tharchin Rinpoche's parinirvana, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche, out of his great kindness, became our three-year retreat lama and guided the retreatants with profound caring and wisdom. He also taught our annual Trekchod retreat and Rushen practices.
Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche's sublime consort, Khandro Kunsang, an accomplished and very special practitioner in her own right. She is a daughter of one of the 19th century's most accomplished lamas and began receiving the highest Vajrayana techings as a young child. Khandro Kunsang is also a hidden yogi and we are very fortunate to connect with her and the entire family, including their son Tulku Ringdzin. I encourage all the sangha to give Kunzang Khandro their full support and to take advantage of her wisdom and her special connection to Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche's profound wisdom mind, which continues endlessly.
When our lamas pass into parinirvana it is an extremely powerful time for us to connect to their vast sky-like mind. It is also a time for us to strengthen our samaya with them and our Vajra brothers and sisters. Tullku jigme Tromge Rinpoche said this so beautifully and I encourage everyone, including myself, to read his message and to offer confession from the heart.
In my own idiot idea of sublime activity I can't help but believe that Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche's parinirvana was more evidence of his completely pure samaya. His life started with Dudjom Rinpoche and the dissolution of this life began with Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche, including the auspicious timing that allowed Dudjom Yangi Rinpoche to be with him right after his parinirvana. There was no plan and yet this incredible activity happened, showing us that all wisdom minds are connected in one taste! In his last compassionate action, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche again taught us to have faith in the dharma and the infallible truth of enlightenment...
With Love,
Lama Sonam Rinpoche on behalf of the Vajrayana Foundation