His Holiness the 4th Dodruchen Rinpoche (1927-2022) entered into parinirvana yesterday at around 4pm in his retreat at Lukshama near Gangtok in Sikkim. He was one of the main lineage holders of the Nyingma School of Buddhism and especially the Longchen Nyingthik set of teachings. He is regarded as one of the most respectable teachers of Tibetan Buddhism.
He was personally one of my main teachers and was our refuge and protection. His presence in Sikkim was one of the main reasons for us to settle there. I remember all the kind and wise ways that he helped us in various ways.
Once when an insect entered into my ear he woke up in the middle of the night and found a way to get it out. He was the same way to all the people who came to get his help. Buddhists and non Buddhists all went to get his blessings in Sikkim. We would go to him when a child couldn’t sleep at night and for any major and minor needs. The community now feel like they have lost their protector.
We pray for a swift return of his reincarnation who would be similarly kind and wise.
Ringu Tulku
26.01.2022