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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.
Geshe Losang Tengye Passes Away at Institut Vajra Yogini
Geshe Losang Tengye, who played an important role in helping establish Tibetan Buddhism in the West, stopped breathing in his room at Institut Vajra Yogini in France on Friday, October 19. Geshe Tengye stayed in clear light meditation for five ... Read more »
Paying Tribute to Geshe Pema Tsering
On February 11, 2017, Geshe Pema Tsering, who served as resident teacher at Buddha House in Adelaide, Australia, for nine years entered into clear light meditation after passing away. Mandala received this tribute to Geshe-la from Buddha House director Gabe ... Read more »
Gelek Rinpoche: A Personal Reflection from Nicholas Ribush
It was with great sadness that we at FPMT International Office learned of the passing of Gelek Rinpoche (often spelled Gelek Rimpoche), founder of the Jewel Heart centers, on February 15, 2017. Rinpoche was a close friend of FPMT founder ... Read more »
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel Passes Away
We are sad to announce that on July 31, 2016, Sera Je abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Gendun Choephel suddenly passed away. Among Khen Rinpoche’s many students is Tenzin Ösel Hita, the recognized reincarnation of FPMT founder Lama Yeshe. Khen Rinpoche ... Read more »
Ven. Thubten Kunsang (Henri Lopez) Passes Away
We are sad to share the news that the French monk Ven. Thubten Kunsang (Henri Lopez) passed away on Sunday, July 24, at 11:46 a.m. in India due to cancer. Ven. Kunsang traveled with Lama Zopa Rinpoche for many years, ... Read more »
Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Palden Passes Away
By Ven. Jampa Khedrub Sera Je Khensur Rinpoche Acharya Geshe Lobsang Palden manifested passing beyond his coarse body on the evening of May 1, 2016, in Taipei, Taiwan, and subsequently remained in the clear light meditation (thuk-dam) until May 6. ... Read more »
Dhakpa Tulku Rinpoche Passes Away
We are sad to announce that on February 13, 2016, Dhakpa Tulku Rinpoche passed away peacefully while in meditation at his residence in Kalimpong, India. Dhakpa Rinpoche was one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus, was an FPMT touring lama, and ... Read more »
His Eminence Choden Rinpoche Passes Away
We are very saddened to share the news that His Eminence Choden Rinpoche passed away on September 11 at 1:30 a.m. India time at Sera Je Monastery in South India. Choden Rinpoche was a highly respected Buddhist master and a ... Read more »
Ven. Margaret McAndrew Passes Away
We are sadden to share the news that Ven. Margaret McAndrew has passed away of cancer In Australia. Affectionately know as Ani Marg, she was a long-time student of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, first arriving at Kopan in ... Read more »
Ven. Ann McNeil Passes Away
Ven. Ann McNeil, one of Lama Yeshe’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s most senior Western students, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2015, in British Columbia, Canada. Known as Anila Ann, she became a student of Lama Yeshe in 1970, when ... Read more »
Khensur Denma Locho Rinpoche Passes Away
Khensur Denma Locho Rinpoche ceased breathing and entered into clear light meditation on Thursday, October 23, at his home in McLeod Ganj, India, after a brief illness. He was 86 years old. Denma Locho Rinpoche was a highly respected Tibetan ... Read more »