The photos you see before you come from the cremation of Professor Sempa Dorje - lovingly called Genla - Karmapa’s tutor and teacher, and one of the world’s finest and most learned Buddhist scholars.
He was 92 years old, and while he was well known for his mastery of Dharma texts and teachings, being one of the few people in the world who still read and speak Pali - the language of the Buddha himself - as well as his untouchable commitment to study, he stayed in Tukdam for an astounding six days, a feat reserved only for highly accomplished meditation masters. I had the honor of hearing him teach on many occasions, anyone who came to a KIBI course was treated to his unmatched understanding, and kind, gentle personality. He was a staple figure in the Dharma world, one who others may only aspire to walk in his shadow.
I was originally supposed to be in France, for an event in Dhagpo, and another in Kundreul Ling, but in a drastic change of plans, instead I flew to Delhi just a few days before the cremation was to take place. Immediately after the cremation I needed to board a plane, (at midnight that same day) fly to Paris, madly rush to the train station, then train down to Le Bost for the remainder of the event I had committed to months ago. As I write this, I have arrived in France, and I finally get to sit down. But I am far from rest, as my head spins from lack of sleep, overwhelming impressions swimming around my mind, and the residual joggling of motion from the myriad forms of transportation I endured in the past 24 hours. I am reliving the cremation - moment by moment, over and over in my head. When I close my eyes, my hands and face are still covered in ash. I breathe in the smoke filled air, it’s hot against my throat. The sweat and humidity are intoxicating, everything is sticky, dripping, out of this world. It is a swarm of crimson robes, and vicious golden flame. I can hear the bells, chanting, the drums in my chest, horns pierce the air. The heat from the flames were overwhelming, I have never seen a cremation fire burn so brightly, so intensely. At one point there was a full rainbow around the sun, sending sparkles radiating out in a kaleidoscope of color - it was truly spectacular.
One of the most powerful moments of my life without question.
I could attempt to further describe all that I saw, the many illustrious details that come from experiencing an event such as this, under conditions such as those that I had. I could talk about how incredible Karmapa is, and how Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche’s presence has magnified 1000 times over. But at this moment I simply cannot. I am drowning in a rain of emotions and memories, and I fight a losing battle for each word that makes it on the page. My brain is fried, my body sore and burnt. My mind overwhelmed. My heart overflowing. Honestly, the photos will always speak far better than I ever could, and I believe that these are some of my best work. I let you be the judge.
