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Obituaries
Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested that “students who read these obituaries pray that the person mentioned finds a perfect human body, meets a Mahayana guru, and becomes enlightened quickly, or be born in a pure land where the teachings exist and they can become enlightened.” Reading these obituaries also gives us an opportunity to reflect on death and impermanence and to make the determination to live life in the most meaningful way. Rinpoche continuously reminded us to meditate on death and impermanence in order to motivate ourselves to practice Dharma right now! If we put off Dharma practice for when we are older or less busy, we assume that we will wake up tomorrow morning, and there is no promise of this.
More advice from Lama Zopa Rinpoche on death and dying is available, see Death and Dying: Practices and Resources. To submit an obituary for an FPMT student, please see our obituary submission guidelines.
The Care She Gave Others: Rejoicing in the Life of Sara Ritter
Sara Ritter passed away at the age of 51 on February 6, 2025, from complications from pneumonia. By Carina Rumrill As the person who puts together obituaries for fpmt.org and our community news blog, there are inevitably times when I ... Read more »
Rejoicing in the Life of “The Flower Lady” Ven. Ingrid Thubten Nordzin
Ven. Ingrid (Thubten Nordzin) passed away after a short period of illness on February 17, 2025 at Tara Home, Soquel, California. Venerable Ingrid was a beloved and devoted practitioner within the FPMT community for many decades. She received her novice ... Read more »
Remembering the Exceptional Energy and Devotion of Jan Paul Kool
Jan Paul Kool passed away from cancer on November 29, 2024 in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, aged 78. Obituary by Paula de Wys with thanks to Ven. Yangdzom (Koosje vd Kolk) On December 9, 2024, a memorial service was held at ... Read more »
Sangay Sherpa: Rejoicing in the Beneficial Life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Brother
Sangay Sherpa, the brother of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, passed away on December 8, 2024 after an admittance to HAMS hospital in Kathmandu for various health issues. Sangay offered a lifetime of service to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai ... Read more »
“She Offered Literally Everything She Had”: The Extraordinarily Generous Life of “Mummy” Max Mathews
The entire FPMT community shared the loss of one of FPMT’s precious pioneers, when “Mummy” Max Mathews (also known as Sister Max), passed away on February 16, 2024. Mummy Max contributed greatly and financially assisted Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa ... Read more »
So Humble and Kind: Rejoicing in the Life of Ven. Ngawang Yonten, “Ashang”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s uncle, Ven. Ngawang Yönten (affectionately known as Ashang, which means, “maternal uncle”) passed away peacefully at Lawudo, Nepal, on the morning of July 7, 2024. He was 98 years old and most likely one of the last ... Read more »
The Passing of Jeffrey Hopkins: A Legacy of Honesty
Beloved Buddhist scholar Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins passed away on July 1, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada, aged 83. Dr. Hopkins published dozens of books, acted as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s translator, and had a long academic career during which he ... Read more »
The Passing of one of FPMT’s Pioneers: “Mummy” Max Mathews
The entire FPMT community shares the loss of one of FPMT’s precious pioneers, “Mummy” Max Mathews (also known as Sister Max), who passed away on February 16, 2024. We also share a sense of rejoicing in the kindness and generosity ... Read more »
Reminiscences of the late Venerable Thubten Gelek (Max Redlich)
Venerable Thubten Gelek (Max Redlich) passed away on November 26, 2023 in New Delhi, India. Venerable Gelek, born July 13, 1944, was an IMI sangha member who offered many decades of service to the Dharma, starting in the early years ... Read more »
Rejoicing in the Life of Sim Hong Boon: An Enduring Legacy
Sim Hong Boon passed away of cancer on August 13, 2023 at age 76 in Singapore. Sim Hong Boon was a longtime member of the FPMT Inc. Board of Directors and helped the Maitreya Project. He was an ardent supporter ... Read more »
Rejoicing in the Life of Venerable Jangchup Phegey: His Door Was Always Open
Venerable Jangchup Phegey passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 25th 2023. Written by Jacob Lindsley Ven. Jangchup leaves behind a life of Dharma practice, friendship, and service. Born Hawkins Mitchell in San Diego, California, Ven. Jangchup earned a ... Read more »