I was fortunate enough to have met and received teachings from Kenchen Rinpoche on several occasions in my life, and like all who met him, I was incredibly touched by his presence, his hugely warm and inviting nature, and his amazing knowledge and wisdom.
A simple smile from him could power the sun. And so I was deeply honored when Gyaltrul Rinpoche asked me to come and document this historic event, his final ceremony, and overnight I left everything behind and headed off to upstate New York. After an astonishing twelve days in Tukdam meditative posture, in testament to his attainment and realization, Khenchen Rinpoche finally left his body, and was moved to his final resting place in the Dharmakaya Center to await the Fire Offering Ceremony, or Homa Puja.
It’s difficult to describe what it is like to be here. It was freezing cold when I arrived, the snow flying sideways with gusts of wind that rattled the windows and shook the walls. Before Rinpoche left Tukdam it was unclear how long he might stay, and the idea of being here for days, weeks, or even months in waiting was discussed. What a place to wait, snowed in and cutoff from the world, in the dark and cold surrounded by uncertainty. But then one night the sky cleared, a gorgeous sunset greeted us, and we were informed that Khenchen Rinpoche had left his body. The next morning he was brought to the center, surrounded by a small group of devoted students and family. Seeing his body, clearly visible inside the Kudung box, in the snowy cold, carried by eight of his closest students and lamas was a striking and powerful image that will never leave my mind. It appeared to me in slow motion, but lasting only a few moments as they walked slowly to the main meditation hall. The Kudung was placed on the ceremonial shrine at the center of the Gompa, and immediately the preparation pujas and ceremonies began. I remember clearly when Gyaltrul Rinpoche first entered the room, I felt this wave of energy and heat that almost knocked me over it was so intense. They had an incredible connection Gyaltrul Rinpoche and Khenchen Rinpoche, being inseparable for the last few decades, never one without the other.
Sitting here, the room quite literally hums with power. Being in the presence of such a high lama’s Kudung is very, very special. Sadness is present, but it is greatly overshadowed by joy, and remembrance. The whole space is steeped in blessings, Khenchen Rinpoche is most certainly all around us influencing everything. We have been treated to clear skies and incredibly beautiful sunsets every night. Smiles and stories remind us of a great life lived, and lives touched. Death is but another natural part of life. I for one, am deeply honored to be here and to share my feelings, experiences and photos from this momentous occasion. But I know my understanding is far too limited to communicate adequately for these matters, instead I feel this quote from Karmapa about the passing of Khenchen Rinpoche speaks far more than I ever could.
“Focusing on birth, living and dying as it is, or as it happens to someone – whether they be ordinary or extraordinary – gives us an opportunity to reflect on one’s own state. This focusing is what we Buddhists practice. On this very occasion of the Parinirvana of Khenchen Trinley Paljor, we have the chance to not only feel the loss of a great practitioner and to respect his passing (which is a noble social custom), but to view it as a mirror to reflect our own pattern of cyclic birth, living and dying. We regard that mirroring as ‘teachings’ for reasons of practical understanding. So it’s a reminder that we too are eternally being born, living and dying. It’s such a precious moment that we can’t let it slip and postpone this chance.” - Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
The Homa Puja will take place this Monday February 7th. For those that wish, the daily pujas are being streamed twice a day to the public via Zoom. This is one last chance to be with Rinpoche in his remaining body, please use the link below to sign up, as space is limited.
https://www.dharmakayacenter.org/khenchen-rinpoche/
