Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup at Kopan Monastery, Nepal. June 2011.

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Kopan Monastery, Nepal — June 29, 2011

From Ven. Roger:

“I can’t move,” says Rinpoche. “Why?” asks the physiotherapist. “Ants! I will tread on the ants.” So starts the debate between Rinpoche and Rinpoche’s Nepalese physiotherapist, Rajesh: Rajesh doesn’t understand why Rinpoche is so concerned about the ants and treading on one or two of them while he is doing his exercises. Rinpoche gives a brief explanation on compassion. Rajesh accepts. We gently remove the ants and Rinpoche continues to do his exercises.

Rajesh has been working with Rinpoche for about 10 days now and they are developing a good relationship. Rajesh is very good at what he does and has helped a number of Westerners here in Nepal. This morning (Rajesh comes every morning at 7:45 a.m. for one hour) after the physiotherapy session finished, Rinpoche answered Rajesh’s question about the main difference between Buddhism and Christianity. Rinpoche answered in 10 minutes. And then Rajesh had to go to his next client.

There is a lot of laughter during the session (Rajesh tells the jokes and Rinpoche keeps laughing) but at the same time Rajesh definitely keeps control of the session. It works very well.

Rinpoche is also spending time checking and seeing what can be done for Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup. Lama Lhundrup has good care here at the monastery with his attendants and Jo, a nurse and palliative care specialist who is a student of Lama Lhundrup from New Zealand. The Tibetan doctor visits him regularly and Rinpoche is attending to the spiritual aspects of the healing: blessing water, prayer sessions with the monks, pujas, etc.

Every now and again Rinpoche says about his own situation, “This will take time … have to wait for the karma to finish … it will take time.” Since the time in the hospital Rinpoche has been saying this. This morning I asked Rinpoche, “How long?” Rinpoche said, “Can’t say, maybe six months, maybe longer.”

Last night Rinpoche circumambulated Bouddha Stupa three times by himself and then about 10 times in the wheelchair. Rinpoche always stops at the two bigger prayer wheels and turns these with effort and difficulty with his right hand – it’s good exercise! Rinpoche said circumambulating Bouddha and Swayambhunath Stupas is very helpful for the mind. Rinpoche is really keen on circumambulating: the first night it was raining, so we did so in the rain. Most of the time we circumambulate late at night as it is quiet then.

Dear friends,

Rinpoche is doing well and still in Nepal. Rinpoche is walking without aid now though someone has to walk close behind in case Rinpoche stumbles. Rinpoche has to drag the right leg a little and use his hip a little to swing his leg around to make a step but quite an improvement as he is independent. When we leave the gompa and return he has about 57 steps go down and up … that is hard and needs a lot of care to manage.

Right arm has more movement now but hand still has no energy to hold anything and arm has little energy to support in normal activity.

Speech is slowly improving right side of mouth little movement.

Rinpoche’s day is quite full, starting at 6:30 am practicing movement,  7:45 am  physio session, then massage, afternoon is movements and then acupuncture and every evening is circumambulation of Bodha stupa or Swayambhu. So quite a full day.

Rinpoche is quite happy and eager with trying to get back to normal physical health. Many times a little too eager! Sense of humor seems even better than before, especially about his own situation … Sometimes he bursts out laughing about trying to do some exercise and it isn’t working.

Love

roger

Kopan Monastery, Nepal — June 11, 2011

From Ven. Roger:

Friday June 3, Bendigo, Australia: After discussion between Rinpoche, Khadro-la and myself, we decided that Khadro-la will leave tomorrow for Nepal.

After long and thorough discussions, it was decided that Rinpoche also should go to Nepal ASAP. (We had planned to be in Bendigo for sometime so Rinpoche could stabilize, continuing with the physiotherapy, etc.) After some quick checking, we saw that we could get a flight on June 6, but it meant a lot had to be organized, including discussion with the doctors and the hospital, getting clear on what it means for Rinpoche to travel, taking insulin, etc. After a lot of work we arrived at Melbourne airport. We rented a small 12-seater bus because Osel and Gomo Tulku Rinpoche were also departing. (They stayed a few days there and probably are now back in Europe.)

Lama Zopa Rinpoche presiding over long-life puja, Kopan Monastery, June 2011. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

At the airport we ran into trouble at the check-in, which is not unusual, except the additional issue that they wanted to weigh our hand luggage with a restriction of 7 kg (15 lb)! Our carry-ons are usually at least 20 kg (44 lb) each with texts, prayer wheels, etc., so that was very hard. Then we had too many bags and it was going to cost a fortune. Then they asked us for a letter from the doctor saying Rinpoche was OK to fly, which we didn’t have! We had letters for the needles, insulin, arrangements for wheelchair service, etc., but no letter to say Rinpoche was OK to fly. And the airline said we couldn’t fly without it! So there was a lot of last minute re-shuffling and re-organizing of luggage and calls to the doctor for a letter to be faxed through to the airline. It all was eventually worked out except that some luggage got left behind.

Lama Lhundrup, June 2011. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.

So here we are now in Nepal. Yesterday, Rinpoche was offered a special two-day long life puja at Kopan, organized by Khadro-la and Pari (Dagri) Rinpoche. Serkong Dorje Chang also attended, spontaneously appearing that morning. Lama Lhundrup attended even though he’s not well. Lama Zopa Rinpoche managed to walk down the steps (and there are a lot of steps!) Rinpoche is very determined to walk unaided and he does it fearlessly. If someone is not with him, he can easily stumble as the right leg isn’t stable yet. Rinpoche just heads off whether I am around or not! The long life puja went very well, Rinpoche was very happy.

Today, Dakpa Rinpoche (ex-Abbot of Sera Mey Monastery) will begin the pujas for Rinpoche; these will go on for several days.

Another important reason Rinpoche said for being in Nepal was that he could circumambulate the Swayambhunath Stupa which kept coming out very good in his mo. We did that yesterday, circumambulating part of the time in a wheelchair and part of the time walking with help. The big korwa at the base where there many stupas must be a few kilometers. We’ll also circumambulate Bouddha Stupa … it’s physiotherapy with holy objects!

Photos taken during the long life puja offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Kopan Monastery, Nepal; June 10 2011

The main lamas attending the puja are Dhakpa Rinpoche, Dagri Rinpoche, Serkong Dorje Chang, Khen Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup, Khadro la and Lhatsung Rinpoche (a lay lama).

Dear Friends,

Rinpoche is now in Kopan , arrived 2 days ago. Today there is a special long life puja for Rinpoche. Then over the next 2 weeks a number of pujas.

Rinpoche’s walking is improving but still the right foot does not have much movement in the toes. The right arm has a little movement, there has not been much improvement in the speech. Hoping to see more improvement over the next few weeks while here. It is a time to focus on Rinpoche’s health as much as possible. Again Rinpoche is saying it will take time to heal. What is good is that Rinpoche has a little independence now … he can move around a little without support … but still a little shaky.

roger

Lama Zopa Rinpoche recovering in Australia with Khadro la, Osel and Gomo Rinpoche

May 29th – Rinpoche’s first time out publically, introducing Khadro la, Osel and Gomo Rinpoche to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo, Australia.



Dear Friends,

Khadro la has been with us for the last 7 days and has been helping Rinpoche a lot with the right side that is partially paralyzed. Khadro la has been very helpful in explaining what is happening as she can actually see the subtle aspects of the body that normally ordinary people cannot see. So from her direct experience of seeing the subtle energy blocks etc she has methods for helping the body to regain its normal functions. It’s quite amazing to see her working very confidentially and with such determination.

For the past few weeks Rinpoche has been continually saying to us that “the paralysis will take time to heal … it won’t happen soon”.  Rinpoche would add .. “no matter what medicines or methods are used etc until the karma is finished my situation won’t get better”. There has been slow improvement with the right arm and muscles in the mouth … causing the slur and difficulty in speech. The right leg has improved so that Rinpoche can walk short distances unaided but needing someone nearby incase he stumbles.

Rinpoche says he has to focus a lot on exercising the right side of the body over the next months and until then will not be able to do any public Dharma activities … this means we will have to cancel all Rinpoche’s public program thru the remainder of 2011.

Rinpoche’s blood pressure is still high, it is proving difficult to get it down. Rinpoche is on insulin now and the doctors are ok with the present sugar levels.

Khadro la has given very good advice for the near future and said it’s important for Rinpoche to have rest and be in a healthy environment.

Rinpoche received a surprise visit from Osel and Gomo Rinpoche , they flew from Europe to be with Rinpoche for a several days … very nice to have them around… their mission they said is “to bring love”.

Thank you to everyone for all the prayers and well wishes … please continue … they are still very much needed.

roger

Eaglehawk, Australia — May 25, 2011

From Ven. Roger:

Yesterday in the gym the physical therapist asked Rinpoche what he would like to achieve from these physiotherapy sessions over the next four weeks. Rinpoche said, “To fly!” The physical therapist thought Rinpoche meant to be able to go on a plane. Rinpoche said, “No…I want to fly!” The physical therapist was a little taken back (this was only the second time meeting Rinpoche — remember we are in country town and this is her first contact with a Tibetan lama).

Dear Friends,

Rinpoche circumambulates  3 times a day the relics for 30 mins. This requires no encouragement at all … it’s done with enthusiasm! Then needs to rest  … which is the same after each physio therapy session.  Now Rinpoche needs only a little support when walking short distances , longer distances a wheel chair is needed.

Last Thursday after the brace was fitted to Rinpoche’s right leg  by the Prosthetist Orthotist … Rinpoche said “when I came back from having the brace fitted I had a rest and  dreamt  of His Holiness, after the dream I was able to move 3 fingers (right hand) that I wasn’t able to move before  and also I could  read mantras quicker, so a little bit better, slight, but can’t tell how long”.  This was good news as not much was happening with the right arm, now there is a little more movement in certain directions … still a long way to go with the arm.

Speech is also slowly improving … still a slur. With all the exercises for leg, arm and speech it doesn’t take long for Rinpoche to tire … for the short time before tiring he does well, then tiredness sets in and the excises become difficult as no strength.

Rinpoche has not started acupuncture or Chinese medicine … saying according to his mo seems need to delay a little longer  before starting.

I would think now we will settle into a routine for the next month or 2 focusing on the physio and lots of rest.

Thank you

roger

At Ease in Bendigo

Ven Roger Kunsang’s latest blog.