By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, December 24: The head of the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, has passed away on Wednesday (December 23) in the holy city of Bodh Gaya, where he was to attend the Nyingma Monlam and thereafter return to his Monastery, Thubten Dorje Drak Monastery, in Shimla.
Rinpoche, 89, is reportedly in the state of Thuk-dam or Parinirvana, the final meditative stage before nirvana. Although clinically dead the body sustains warmth and does not decay during the Thuk-dam.
According to Ugyen Tenzin, a senior monk and a close aide, Rinpoche wakes up around 2:30-3 AM to do his morning rituals and prayers. “However, on the day of his passing he got up around 1 at night and completed his morning prayers and rituals before passing into Thuk-dam state at around 2:30 AM,” said Ugyen.
“His remains, probably, will be brought back to Shimla for final rites after the Nyingma Monlam is over,” said Ugyen Tenzin.
The Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay expressed his condolences over the demise of Tsetrul Rinpoche. “I am extremely sorry to hear the demise of His Eminence Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and offer my deepest condolences to all his followers and devotees. I hope our prayers comfort you and Rinpoche’s blessings continue to guide us through eternity. May His Eminence be reborn soon,” the Tibetan PM said in a press release.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to mourn his demise will hold a prayer service tomorrow at noon and offices of the all departments will remain closed after lunch as a mark of respect.
Despite his good health and no major ailments, the news of his passing away has shocked the Tibetans and followers across the world and condolence messages have been pouring in over the social media since.
“It is such a heartbreaking and saddening news for everyone here in Dorje Drak Monastery. We all are very sad for Rinpoche’s sudden passing away since he was healthy and had no ailment. We did not foresee such unfortunate happening,” said Yarphel, a senior monk of the monastery.
Born in 1926 in Tibet, Rinpoche, the throne-holder of the Dorje Drak Monastery, was appointed as the head of Nyingma Tradition in 2012. He was also the head of the lineage of the Northern Treasures, the tradition which originated from the treasures of the great tertön Rigdzin Godem.
Rinpoche was renowned as a holder of all the great Kama and Terma traditions of the Nyingmapa, as well as being a great exponent of the Rimey, or non-sectarian tradition.
