Photo courtesy of Konchog Oesel
It is with great sorrow that we announce
the passing into parinirvana of the Venerable K. C. Lama Kalsang
Rinpoche, May 31, 2013. He was a direct descendant of the great King
Ling Gesar of Tibet’s Mhukpo Dung, and father of Ayang Rinpoche’s
sangyum, True Lhamo.
Kalsang Rinpoche was born 97 years ago in
Domchengar, in the region of Kham, in eastern Tibet. His father Chadral
Pema Gyurme was a highly accomplished yogi Vajrayana Chod Master. His
father’s title “Chadral” is a title of respect given to a person who
lives a meditative life of renunciation high in the holy mountains and
dangerous cemeteries of Tibet. Chadral Pema Gyurme spent his life
practicing in such holy places. He accomplished a thirteen-year retreat
at Mt. Kailash and was renowned for his realization.
From early childhood, Kalsang Rinpoche had
been trained in the Dharma under his father’s guidance. While traveling
with his father to many of the sacred places in Tibet, Rinpoche received
tantric ritual teachings from him with a special emphasis on Chadral
Pema Gyurme’s Healing Chod lineage.
Rinpoche’s life study and practice of the
Dharma was deepened by the numerous blessings, empowerments and
teachings that he received from many of the great Kagyu and Nyingma
masters. Rinpoche was a “favored son” of his root guru His Holiness the
16th Gyalwa Karmapa. In addition to the great masters’ teachings,
Rinpoche was given the complete oral transmission teachings and
empowerments of the Karma Kagyu Nyen Do Monastery.
For twenty-five years, Rinpoche studied and
practiced the Dharma at the Nyen Do Monastery in Eastern Tibet. He
completed a continuous five-year Tara retreat at the Monastery, and at
the conclusion of the retreat, Rinpoche was appointed the Chief
Representative of the Nyen Do Monastery Regent. For the remainder of his
residency at the Nyen Do Monastery, Rinpoche served in the capacities
of ritual master, financial administrator and community ambassador.
Following the Chinese expansion into Tibet,
Rinpoche relocated to India. In Bylakuppe, South India, he founded the
Karma Kagyu monastery, Kagyu Nalanda Institute, the related charitable
organization, Bodhisattva Trust, and the Gesar Divination and Healing
Center.
Rinpoche was often referred to as “Yogi
Rinpoche.” He was a renowned master of the practice of the Chod healing
ritual and Gesar of Ling (also referred to as Juthig) Mo divination, one
of the oldest divination systems in the Tibetan culture. He learned
both practices from his father, and attained his insight and wisdom as a
recognized Tibetan healer through devotion to meditation, years of
practice, retreat, and experience with these unique methods. Rinpoche’s
healing rituals were known to be beneficial to those suffering from
physical, mental or spiritual ailments and their associated obstacles.
For over forty years, Rinpoche selflessly
served the southern region of India from his residence in Bylakuppe. He
first visited the West in 1996, and traveled internationally until
recently, offering insightful teachings and compassionate guidance. Over
the years, Rinpoche’s powerful spiritual healings have successfully
helped people where other methods have failed. His tireless Dharma
efforts, healing activities and selfless dedication to all sentient
beings earned him the respect of the Hindu, Muslim and Christian
communities in South India, as well as the Buddhist community worldwide.
Venerable Kalsang Rinpoche’s ku-dung will be cremated July 22, 2013.
