I am here a few days early, to capture as much as I can for my upcoming film about Lama Rinpoche, and to have some space to absorb the immense blessings and ultra strong purification that comes from being so close to a Being as incredible, admirable, unstoppable and irreplaceable as Lama Rinpoche was.
Seated here as I write this, I am but a few paces from Rinpoche’s Kudung, his outrageous compassion radiates from it like a thunderbolt. I am still in shock it seems, it’s hard to understand he is truly gone.
Gathered in the great hall of Dhagpo Sheydrup Ling, his home and seat, literally everyone is here - participating in the pujas, and paying respect to Lama Rinpoche’s Kudung. It strikes me that while Rinpoche’s physical form has left this earth, and on the human level he is no longer with us, he is very much alive in the hearts of all those who are here. You can see it in their eyes, tears or smiles, gratitude is all pervading. His Holiness Karmapa will arrive soon, and the reality of it all may finally set in for me. A state of bliss, fear, pain and joy washes over me, from moment to moment a powerful sway of contrast that knocks me to my knees or has me in tears.
Lama Rinpoche, I can feel you here. I am sitting so close to you, even if your physical form is gone, my heart swells with your presence. I am just happy to be here, to share these first glimpses into what will certainly become one of the most powerful days of my life. Gratitude is all pervading.
