To celebrate his amazing life, his boundless activity, his powerful teachings, his larger than life personality and heart.
His presence is felt so strongly here today, I can only speak for myself but as I look through my lens I see faces full of emotion, many holding back tears as we are reminded yet again of what we have lost. Many times during the past year I have been told that we aren’t supposed to celebrate anything - this is a year reserved for homage and prayer, and I have tried to abide by this rule. But this past year we have had so very much to celebrate. So much has happened to bring us all together, to become closer as a dharma family, to share in this world and all it has to offer, good or bad. We may have tried to hold back our joy but Rinpoche would never want this - in my most humble opinion - he would always find the humor even in the saddest and most dark of situations. And so we have felt this year pass, with all that it has given us, opportunities and possibilities - suffering and sadness. We have grown together, we have grown strong in our bond that ties us - we have done exactly what Rinpoche wanted: to toss away the simple, petty things that separate us and simply join together.
Today there is a heavy weight in the air. As Karmapa arrives I can feel it in my bones and in my breath and heart. I could never begin to speak for His Holiness, but today felt as though he may still have some grief to bear, some emotion over the loss of his teacher coming again to the surface is not only natural but expected regardless of someone’s amazing power - we all feel pain and loss. As the relics are brought out, as speeches are given, emotions run the gamut from laughter and joy upon seeing one another again to tears as we all sit together and bid goodbye to our teacher a year later. I see joy as well as sadness in Lama Jigmé Rinpoché's eyes as he recounts the final days of his brother’s life, unable to hide his wet eyes or his smile as he thinks of Rinpoche, a heart warming yet mournful expression on his face nearly brings me to tears myself. Karmapa’s speech is powerful, direct and magnetic. He has a way of speaking that is so natural, so heart felt, and yet seemingly as though he has pondered what he will say since endless time. The words come out slowly and deliberately, he makes pauses, but sometimes I feel he is pausing for us so we have the time to catch up as our minds and hearts process what is being said. I can see and sense the emotion on his face, and in his words, yet he has a great presence and energy - he is upright and beaming in his way. Despite the loss he has such charisma, this is a very awake person, and we are very lucky to have him with us on this journey we share together.
The line to see the relics, and to offer a katak or prostrate is long, filling the side of the gompa as everyone makes their way to offer their respects. Today we bid farewell, again, to our teacher and our greatest spiritual friend. For Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and all of us, we share this bond with Rinpoche regardless of how well we knew him. He was a force to be reckoned with, a mighty oak in a forest of green, the rock that looks out on the valley below, the all seeing, magnetic, explosive and implosive human being that made up Rinpoche. Today we said goodbye again. Today we had the chance to offer our last respects, after a year has passed where we have all grown together. With a heavy heart I have passed this day. With a mind full of emotion and a body tired from it all I have passed this day. For knowing Rinpoche in this life, for happiness upon crossing his path, I have joy in my heart. With a sad heart full of joy I have passed this day - for today we had to say goodbye again.
His presence is felt so strongly here today, I can only speak for myself but as I look through my lens I see faces full of emotion, many holding back tears as we are reminded yet again of what we have lost. Many times during the past year I have been told that we aren’t supposed to celebrate anything - this is a year reserved for homage and prayer, and I have tried to abide by this rule. But this past year we have had so very much to celebrate. So much has happened to bring us all together, to become closer as a dharma family, to share in this world and all it has to offer, good or bad. We may have tried to hold back our joy but Rinpoche would never want this - in my most humble opinion - he would always find the humor even in the saddest and most dark of situations. And so we have felt this year pass, with all that it has given us, opportunities and possibilities - suffering and sadness. We have grown together, we have grown strong in our bond that ties us - we have done exactly what Rinpoche wanted: to toss away the simple, petty things that separate us and simply join together.
Today there is a heavy weight in the air. As Karmapa arrives I can feel it in my bones and in my breath and heart. I could never begin to speak for His Holiness, but today felt as though he may still have some grief to bear, some emotion over the loss of his teacher coming again to the surface is not only natural but expected regardless of someone’s amazing power - we all feel pain and loss. As the relics are brought out, as speeches are given, emotions run the gamut from laughter and joy upon seeing one another again to tears as we all sit together and bid goodbye to our teacher a year later. I see joy as well as sadness in Lama Jigmé Rinpoché's eyes as he recounts the final days of his brother’s life, unable to hide his wet eyes or his smile as he thinks of Rinpoche, a heart warming yet mournful expression on his face nearly brings me to tears myself. Karmapa’s speech is powerful, direct and magnetic. He has a way of speaking that is so natural, so heart felt, and yet seemingly as though he has pondered what he will say since endless time. The words come out slowly and deliberately, he makes pauses, but sometimes I feel he is pausing for us so we have the time to catch up as our minds and hearts process what is being said. I can see and sense the emotion on his face, and in his words, yet he has a great presence and energy - he is upright and beaming in his way. Despite the loss he has such charisma, this is a very awake person, and we are very lucky to have him with us on this journey we share together.
The line to see the relics, and to offer a katak or prostrate is long, filling the side of the gompa as everyone makes their way to offer their respects. Today we bid farewell, again, to our teacher and our greatest spiritual friend. For Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and all of us, we share this bond with Rinpoche regardless of how well we knew him. He was a force to be reckoned with, a mighty oak in a forest of green, the rock that looks out on the valley below, the all seeing, magnetic, explosive and implosive human being that made up Rinpoche. Today we said goodbye again. Today we had the chance to offer our last respects, after a year has passed where we have all grown together. With a heavy heart I have passed this day. With a mind full of emotion and a body tired from it all I have passed this day. For knowing Rinpoche in this life, for happiness upon crossing his path, I have joy in my heart. With a sad heart full of joy I have passed this day - for today we had to say goodbye again.
