Following the passing into parinirvāṇa of Venerable Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche on June 22, 2024, dharma students from around the world have gathered at their centers, monasteries, and online to practice together per the instructions of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and the tireless kind support of Khenpo Rinpoche’s nunneries, with the nuns of Tek Chok Ling offering their own heartfelt prayers while always serving everyone with great kindness in all activities. 

Monasteries offered various mandalas for seven weeks, and all students engaged in Guru Yoga with supplications written by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, sang songs of realization, and offered their homage and countless khataks (ceremonial scarfs) to the kudung of Dechen Rangdrol, in devoted appreciation for the blessings of this great siddha. 

After bringing the kudung from the main shrine hall of Tek Chok Ling, it was brought to Pullahari Monastery, and first carried to Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche’s Golden Temple before placing it in the Rigpe Dorje shrine hall. For several more days, monks, nuns, and lay practitioners from Nalandabodhi, Marpa Network, Zabsung Shedrub, and many others from all kinds of traditions and different places, gathered and continued their practice at Pullahari as a global mandala with one heart of devotion. 

In the early morning on Monday, August 19, with clouds and gentle rain, the day of the cremation of the precious kudung of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Dechen Rangdrol, this global mandala gathered at Pullahari. With the clouds parting, the kudung was carried from the Rigpe Dorje main shrine room and placed in the stupa outside, especially built and painted for the cremation. 

Seemingly fully orchestrated by Khenpo Rinpoche himself, while the sangha conducted the Tara Fire Puja following the instructions of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, presided over by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche together with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, rainbows encircled the sun and the blue sky appeared – auspicious signs, showing the realization, blessings and ongoing presence in countless ways of this great master, our guru, Dechen Rangdrol. May we always engage with the profound teachings of this unparalleled master and put them into practice for the benefit of all beings. 

In gratitude, we bow down. 

Sarva Mangalam!