Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi, Tulku Ugryen Yangsi, and Phakchok Rinpoche (not pictured), in shrineroom ceremonies.

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche at the Kudung ceremonies.

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche in front of the mandala.

Cremation. (Tromge Jigme Rinpoche paying respects, center).

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche (center) during ceremonies following the cremation.

Late February 2023, thousands gathered at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling near the Great Stupa at Boudhanath, Nepal, to pay their respects to the kudung of His Eminence Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche. While all felt deep sadness at this final separation from His Eminence’s physical presence in the world, it was also an occasion of joy seeing everyone gather from all over the world to honor Rinpoche. Many of the great lamas of this generation were present for the pujas in the shrine-room, and on February 24th these masters were then seated holding the four directions of the mandala of the kudung, outside in the courtyard.

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche flew to Nepal to join the pujas in the shrine-room, then the cremation itself, and also the Vajrasattva pujas by the mandala on the days after the cremation. Lama Sherab Drolma of Brazil and several other Chagdud Gonpa sangha were also fortunate enough to be able to attend. Everywhere we went we met sangha who had been blessed to know His Eminence, and who recalled his phenomenal energy and activity for the benefit of beings — there were groups from everywhere from Taiwan and Malaysia to the Ukraine, Indonesia, and the various European sanghas, as well as hundreds from the Tibetan and Indo-Nepalese communities. The lamas and sangha of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling and the family of His Eminence spared no effort in making the event run as smoothly as it did, for which everyone was very grateful.

Outside of the ceremonies, Tromge Jigme Rinpoche met with several lamas with whom he has very close connections, including H.H. Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and H.E. Neten Chokling Rinpoche, and also took CGF sangha on pilgrimage to the stupa at Swayambunath and the mind-emanation Mahakala shrine in Kathmandu.

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche and Tromge Jigme Rinpoche.

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, Tromge Jigme Rinpoche and Lama Sherab.

Chokling Rinpoche’s Sangyum Dechen Paldron and Tromge Jigme Rinpoche.

H.E. Phakchok Rinpoche offering a Jigme Lingpa statue to Tromge Jigme Rinpoche.

H.E. Neten Chokling Rinpoche and Tromge Jigme Rinpoche.

Rinpoche, Dr. Lama Tsering and Lama Sherab offering butterlamps.

Sangha Leila and Tilghman lighting butterlamps.

Rinpoche feeding the birds in front of the Great Stupa in Boudha.

At all the holy places and in the presence of many precious masters, we made offerings on behalf of CGF sangha members north and south, east and west, also reading through the lists of names for removals of obstacles and recently deceased.

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche sends his best wishes to everyone, and asks that we make aspirations to always be able to connect with pure and accomplished masters, in this and future lifetimes, and that we maintain our own practice without pretence, staying humble, diligent and joyful.

Tromge Jigme Rinpoche participating in ceremonies following the cremation.