I am shocked and shattered to know that Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche has passed away at the hands of murderers in Chengdu on 8th of October along with his nephew and driver. I feel so helpless and lonely without his strong and courageous presence.
I knew Akong Rinpoche since I was 9 years old. He bathed me when I was dirty and nursed me when I was sick. He has been a most reliable and constant friend all my life. He was also the first to invite me to come to the West to teach.
Akong Rinpoche was a man of few words and he always did what he said. I never saw him sitting idle even for a short period and he was always doing something worthwhile. But he never looked stressed or tense.
He was on the high throne in his most expensive brocade one moment and the next moment he was digging a ditch in the rain with same ease and naturalness.
I do not need to talk about his contribution towards the preservation and spread of Buddhism nor do I have to inform about his charitable works. These are well known to the whole world and whole Tibet is now remembering him for his gigantic work in so many projects.
He taught us that to help the helpless is the essence of Dharma practice as well as our human responsibility.
We will always miss him but I hope his mission would never come to suffer because of his absence.
I would like to pray for his swift return and to continue to help countless people who need dedicated and fearless people like him.
Ringu Tulku
Photo courtesy of http://www.darshanaphotoart.co.uk/
thank you for sharing this with us Rinpoche.Akong Rinpoche was a very great being.He touched so many, inpired, encouraged, helped and guided with his untiring , immeasurable love.
I miss him,
I feel too that I am so luckily blessed to have known him.
Thinking of and sending love to you and all those who personally knew him, knew of him and those who did not have the good fortune to meet him. May we all continue to meet, work and grow together in accordance with the dharma.
Dear Rinpoche, hereby I want to utter some words feelings of deep regret what happened last week to your Lama-friend Akong Tulku Rinpoche ,and his nephew and attendant. Also in Holland I know many good friends of this wonderful Lama who were very shocked and sad too. We all do our best to say as many mani-mantras as possible.
Life is unpredictable…since we human beings, our deeds are often so unpredictable. I’m very happy with your “mouth and showing to ear and sight” teachings on the shedra-online on Bodhicharyavatara. Now we are reflecting on Patience…again and again studying and learning about these profound stanzas, words from Shandideva, seem to test us, and especially the lamas and students, directly in how we apply. Especially for great Lamas like you Rinpoche, it must be so incredibly difficult to live the teachings in every situation, whether in happiness or sorrow. With love and great admiration for the lama’s great heart, courage and wisdom, with prayers and respect, Marlou and friends in Holland.