New Zealand TV reports Thupten Rinpoche’s death meditation
http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/deathmeditation-nz.flv
Or view the video on TVNZ website: Part 1 Part 2
This is the latest New Zealand TV station’s news report on Thupten Rinpoche’s death meditation. Thupten Rinpoche is a lama from Sera Je Monastery, and went to teach in Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, New Zealand since 1996 until his recent death in May 2011.
Venerable Thupten Rinpoche is a incarnate lama and an early disciple of the Centre’s founder the late Venerable Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey.
He was invited to the Centre by Geshe Dhargyey himself, in order to continue the transmission of Buddhist teachings in Dunedin. You can see in this video, Thupten Rinpoche has entered Thukdam (death meditation).
We have the gross mind, subtle mind and very subtle mind. For conversation sake, we have gross and subtle mind. Gross mind arises from the subtle mind. At the time of death, the gross mind dissolves into subtle mind. The subtle mind abides at the heart region. Ordinary people have no control over this mind, how long it stays or when it leaves the body. In advanced meditation practices (Vajra Yogini, Heruka, Guyasamaja, Yamantaka, Cittamani Tara, and other tantric paths), one practices to ‘control’ the movement of your mind within your body. When you gain control over this mind, you can abide, stay, leave your body at will.
When the physical body ‘dies’, the mind still can abide within the body. If the mind abides within the heart region, there will be no decay, unpleasant smells, rigamortis, hardening of the skin and the other signs of death. In fact you will look like you are in a deep sleep. A person can stay in this meditation (mind staying within the body) for days, weeks, even months. It is up to the practitioner as they have control. The body never starts deteriorating as in normal process of death as long as the mind resides in the body even if the heart and breathing has fully stopped.
It is very important that we practice the fundamental steps in Dharma in the beginning. Then familiarize ourselves with the intermediary prerequisites (Three Principal Paths), then enter the most sacred practice of Tantra. Within Tantra, embrace one yidam such as Vajra Yogini and go all the way with the practice. If you go all the way with the practice surrendering attachments, projections, excuses, laziness and dry scholarly talk, you will gain great attainments. Controlling one’s death is just one of the ‘small’ benefits. One can experience many realizations that directly help you to cease suffering although you abide in a place filled with suffering (which is anywhere in samsara).
This Ven Thupten Rinpoche in today’s modern day and age shows clearly that tantra is relevant, has results and alive. Tantra is definitely powerful and works for those who engage in the practice.
Our lives are so short. Our dreams, likes, hopes, anger, fears, gains, wants, loved ones, mindsets all do not matter one iota at the time of death. Death and what happens afterwards (future lives) will be much longer than the life we have now. To use the time we have to gain something for just this life will be a wasted chance to gain something so much more.
Reincarnation exists whether people accept or not. Something doesn’t become untrue just because many do not believe…. Reincarnation and past life regression are becoming mainstream even without religion/Buddhism. Many people who have no exposure to Buddhism can recall previous lives all over the world in many countries..The Tantras by the Buddha states clearly the method to control one’s reincarnated destinations..a worthy goal to work on and gain.. So it is important while we have the chance to practice dharma and to go all the way.
Accepting a Supreme Being, and by that acceptance alone will not liberate or deliver us no matter how enticing that may sound. We must do our homework. If just accepting a Supreme Being takes us out of all miseries in this and future lives, for the millions of years we have been on this earth, humans have worshipped a plethora of Supreme Beings yet our human conditions exists. Over time Supreme Beings have changed, their practices, methods of worship and belief systems have dramatically changed. Each era, each culture, each time period has professed the best Supreme Beings and the best method, yet we are still all here. That clearly shows, on acceptance of Supreme Beings would not be enough. If Supreme Beings have the full power over our destinies, then in their compassion they should liberate us. Not even a Buddha can liberate us without us engaging in the methods. Do not focus on the pleasures of this life alone, as they are fleeting, immaterial and very impermanent. Attain something more. Engage in the complete practice of Dharma bereft of dry scholarly words/debate and non-sensical excuses to cover laziness. Laziness is not used here as criticism but it arises from lack of knowledge, study, and application. Take a yidam and humbly/quietly go all the way with your yidam..I wish you luck. I really do.
I have included a short biography of Thupten Rinpoche. May his rebirth return swiftly to continue his benefits to others.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
Funeral stupa in which the sacred body of Thupten Rinpoche was finally cremated after he left his meditation.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
He arrived at the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre on 7 March 1996, to become the Centre’s new teacher. A couple of weeks later, at our request, he told his story to Losang Dawa, who wrote it down. Like all great lamas, Thupten Rinpoche is very humble and his own story reveals his greatness only indirectly. So in order to find out a little more about his background and achievements, Ven. Sönam Tenzin interviewed him once again, pressing him to talk about the great teachers, teachings and initiations he has had.
The following is the result of these two interviews. Thupten Rinpoche’s own account of his life as told to Losang Dawa is presented in standard print. The additional information gleaned by Sönam Tenzin is in italics.
“I was born to a small family at Tsethang, in the Lhoka or southern region of Tibet, on the 4th day of the 6th month in 1941. At three, I was recognised by Phurchog Jamgön Dorje Chang, an emanation of Maitreya Buddha, as an incarnate lama of Samdrub Monastery of Dzakhog, Trehor district in eastern Tibet.”
At this early age Thupten Rinpoche received a long life initiation and pre-novice ordination from Jamgön Dorje Chang.
“At four, I and my family were taken to the Samdrub monastery. At the monastery I was nurtured and looked after by my kind guru, Rinchen Tsetan, who taught me reading, writing and other aspects of my training.”
“At six I was ordained as a novice monk by refuge-protector, the venerable Geshe Jampa Khedrub, the then ex-abbot of the Trehor Dhargyey Monastery. He gave me the name Jampa Thupten.”
Among the many initiations and teachings Thupten Rinpoche received from this remarkable teacher are the great initiations of Guhya-samaja, Heruka and Vajrabhairava and the Lam. Rim Chen.mo commentary. He also received the Putri Barwa initiation from the Sershul Monastery lama, Pöntsang Tulku.
“At around 16, I went to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital city, to enter Sera Mahayana Monastery to pursue higher learning in Buddhist philosophy and practice. It was there that I met my refuge- protector, the incomparably kind late venerable guru, Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, who until his passing away into the state of peace, like a loving parent caring for their only child, warmly held me in his compassion and cared for my material and spiritual needs.”
Thus Gen Rinpoche became Thupten Rinpoche’s tutor in 1957. While at Sera Monastery Thupten Rinpoche received many initiations and teachings from great lamas. From Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, teachings on Lam.Rim, initiations of Guhya-samaja, Heruka, Vajra-bhairava and Kun.Rig, a commentary to Gan.dän Lha.gya.ma, and more. From Lhatsün Dorje Chang, initiations of White Tara, the Thirteen Golden Dharmas of the Sakya tradition, Mahakala and Vaishravana etc. From Lop Tengyal Rinpoche, Avalokitesvara and Tara initiations and from Gen Yeshe Wangdü, teachings on logic and debate.
“Following the brutal occupation of Tibet by Communist China, we fled Tibet in February 1959 to bring our kind guru to safety. We travelled for ten months, enduring immense hardships and often facing close encounters with our pursuers. We finally reached safety in India in December that year.”
“At first we lived in Northeast India, at places like Kalimpong. Once fairly settled, I started taking lessons in Tibetan grammar and poetry, and in English. Side-by-side I had the great fortune of receiving lam.rim teachings and commentarial teachings on various treatises of Buddhist thought and philosophy from Gen Rinpoche.”
“In 1961, I received full ordination as a bhikksu from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
“In 1964, under instructions from His Holiness, a training college was started to train Tibetan lamas and Geshes as teachers for the Tibetan schools in India. I was selected for a two-year course in which we studied Tibetan grammar, poetry, secular as well as religious history, and Buddhist philosophy both intensively and extensively. In addition, we were also taught geography, world history, rudimentary science and psychology. At the end of the course I was awarded the First Class teaching degree.”
“In 1967 I began my teaching career and taught for 28 years, until 10 August 1995. During that time I worked my way through as a Primary School Teacher, Tenth Grade Teacher and Post-graduate Teacher.”
Thupten Rinpoche taught Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, and all aspects of Tibetan language, including grammar and poetic composition.
Over these years in India he also received many initiations and teachings. From Gen Rinpoche, Lam.Rim Chen.mo, Drang.nge Lekshay Nyingpo, Bodhisattvacaryavatara twice, explanatory-transmissions of the Five Treatises of Buddhist philosophy, the commentary to Gan.dän Lha.gya.ma and more.
From Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, initiation and commentary to the Vajrabhairava Ekavira practice twice, Lama Chöpa commentary, etc.
From Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, more teachings on Lam.Rim, initiations and commentaries to the practices of Heruka body mandala and Vajrayogini, and numerous Jenang.
From His Holiness the Dalai Lama, many teachings and initiations of Guhyasamaja, Heruka, Vajrabhairava, Avalokitesvara, and Hayagriva (Tamdrin Yang.sang).
From Kensur Dorje Chang (Geshe Ugyän Tsetän) Vajrabhairava Ekavira initiations, commentary to the two stages of Guhyasamaja practice, and explanation of the “collected activities” of Sera Monastery’s yidam, Tamdrin Yang.sang.
During these years he (Thupten Rinpoche) also performed retreats of practices such as Vajrabhairava (Yamantaka) and Vajrayogini.
Then: “At the wish of the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, and in particular of the late Gen Rinpoche, I came to Dunedin, taking an early voluntary retirement from the Indian central government service. I have been here now for nearly two weeks.” (end March 1996)
Source: http://dbc.dharmakara.net/thupbiog.html
Ven Thupten Rinpoche primarily did Yamantaka and Vajra Yogini practices during his life. We can see these tantric paths are very effective. Go all the way and don’t waste another day or year…time cannot be replaced…chances are easily lost. TR
Since death is part of the path, why would we not practice death meditation.
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this. I hope that all of us gather enough merit to practice the tantric path with your kind guidance. Much love Yee Ling
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche.
The West really seems to disregard the “phenomenon” of clear light death meditations, which is very strange because it contradicts or challenges many scientific beliefs. One would think there would be many articles on it, but this is the most elaborate news coverage I’ve personally seen.
I wish in the video they explained more, so Thupten Rinpoche isn’t seen as a spectacle or a “zombie”. The time of death seems to be one of the greatest opportunities to realize emptiness, and out of great compassion for other beings Thupten Rinpoche trained rigorously for the meditation and completed it. This must have been WHILE he was spending every living moment helping others, giving teachings, holding his vows.
Dear Rinpoche,thanks for posting all these wonderful posts full of compassion and knowledge. It is such a pleasure to read about the Dharma.I wish I were in Malasya so that I could study more and be your student!! I do feel Buddhist teachings very close to my heart like if I have had been part of it since childhood,even though I was not brought up with the Buddhist teachings.Thanks so much for your compassion and for sharing your wisdom!!
This is so inspiring and your encouragement to overcome our laziness is so apt! I wonder how long it will be before we see a westerner achieve clear light death meditation? I wish there were more opportunities within dharma centres to receive this type of support. It was interesting to read that the death meditation is done daily by tantric practioners if not more. I feel that for many of us who are trying to gain realisations during our meditations see our death as another opportunity. What support is there for practitioners at the time of death? I have heard that Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche said that New Zealand has a beautiful and clean environment for practicing.
Dear Molly, His Holiness the Dalai Lama mentioned he practices the actual death meditation six times a day!!! He really has control over his body, death and rebirths. Yes in tantra, when you do the long and complete sadhana of any higher yoga tantric deity, you will ‘go through’ the death process to train to gain mastery daily and during retreat four times a day minimum….
Yes New Zealand from all the pictures I’ve seen is absolutely stunning. I would like to quietly visit one day.
Would you please go all the way with your practice (if you’re not already) and be the ‘first’ Westerner to enter clear light death meditation. But show it before your death.. Don’t wait for others. Their entering into clear light will do little for you and me. May I request you to do it please…
I wish you so much luck. Tsem Rinpoche
Generous words… many thanks… aspirations at this stage and thank you for yours. Crazy monkey mind. Twenty three years of being a single mother to my two beautiful children. I’m now letting them go and want to practice. Hope to come to Kechara for your birthday and celbrate with Vajra Yogini. How are you enjoying the amazing statue. I have been practicing the Vajra Yogini warior yoga posture. Biglove big Guru!
Dear Rinpoche, Thank you for this teaching. It was timely for me
A few years ago when I was at Palyul Summer Retreat, established by HH Penor Rinpoche, there was a notice posted on the community notice board, which was an extract from a newsletter from the Sangha of Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche. It was an article about one of Rinpoche’s students who Rinpoche said had accomplished at her time of passing. The student was a westerner who had come to the Path as his student in middle age, but embraced it fully with her heart. She used to write contemplations on pieces of paper and stick them in her pocket, to pull out and read as she went through her day. She was a lay person. When she lay dying, her daughter was sitting with her and said gently something like “It’s OK mom, you can let go”, as we do with people who we feel are hanging on to life. Her mother opened her eyes and said something like, “Don’t interrupt me, I am meditating”. Rinpoche confirmed she had accomplished at her passing.
My sincere apologies that I cannot remember the accurate details of this occurrence, nor find them by google. But it stuck in my mind.
Also one of Jetsunma’s nuns, through her devotion and commitment to practice, was liberated last year. Here is the story http://www.tara.org/2010/02/27/ani-palchen-the-full-story/
One of my favorite teachings from Jetsunma, that I saw on video in Australia when I first connected with the Path, was “Guru Yoga is a Story about You”. She reminds us that she was re-born in NYC as a western woman, so that we can see that accomplishment is possible for everyone. We so often wish we were born in Tibet, or into families and cultures where Buddhism is revered and taken as a given, like drawing each breath. Or some people may say we need to be a man to accomplish. We think because of these things that accomplishment is out of our reach. And yet, through the blessings of great Teachers who are the bridge from culture to culture, providing opportunities in ways that are familiar to us and with which we can engage (like poop scooping! lol), anything is possible. It is our minds and fears that create the invisible, non-existent barriers that begin with the words “If only…..”. Thank you Rinpoche for being one of those great Teachers who offer methods for accomplishment that include both traditional practice as well as other means for compassion and wisdom to flourish in our hearts and the world.
Dear Ani Kunzang Lah,
Can you play the video ok from you are? Did the video download fast enough so you can watch the video ?
TR
Rinpoche, I will try it tonight after 11 pm! On Satellite connection you are only allowed so much bandwidth every 24 hours. If you use more, you are penalised for 24 hours and they make the internet speed very slow. I saw the video is 15 minutes long, so I know that will get me into trouble he he he. After 11 you get some free download time!
I watched the first little bit as the newscaster was speaking, then it started to buffer. I will let you know tomorrow!
Dear Anila, Please watch the video. It is very very very nice. EVERYONE MUST WATCH THE VIDEO…VERY WELL NARRATED..SHORT AND NICE. And let me know after you’ve seen the whole thing…TR
Rinpoche, what an excellent video. It was lovely that the interview was supportive of the possibility that Thubten Rinpoche was in a death meditation. It was not imbued with scepticism or projecting the idea as crazy. Very nice to see that on western TV station! If only we could se aside our internal, personal scepticisms!
I had no problems with the download. It buffered maybe 5 times during the entire 15 minutes, but not for long, and it caused no distraction.
Thank you for encouraging us to watch this video.
Dear Ani Kunzang, Thanks for letting me know. I know the video program although short is very good. TR
Thank you so much for sharing these inspiring stories. I couldn’t find video unfortunately. Could you put link in again? I read about Jetsunma years ago… inspiring…
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this. U alwais inspire me to think positive. Hugs to u.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring video.
Thought of sharing a similar incident of the 16th Karmapa’s death. Wonder if his 2 dogs were really dogs or emanations… or they were dogs and the Karmapa did transference of consciousness on them.
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In 1980-81 the Karmapa began his last world tour, giving teachings, interviews and empowerments in South East Asia, Greece, England and the United States. Rangjung Rigpei Dorjé died on November 5, 1981 in the United States in a hospital in Zion, Illinois. Doctors and nurses at the hospital remarked on his kindness and how he seemed more concerned with their welfare than his own.[6] One doctor was also struck by the Karmapa’s refusal of pain medication and the absence of any signs of feeling the profound pain that most patients in his condition report.[6] Upon his death, against hospital procedure but in keeping with Tibetan tradition and with special permission from the State of Illinois, his body was left in the hospital for three days and his heart remained warm during this time.[2][6][7] Chief of staff Radulfo Sanchez had no medical explanation for this.[8]
During the seven weeks between his death and his cremation, the Karmapa’s body spontaneously shrank to the size of a small child. He was cremated in Rumtek. His two dogs died on the day of his cremation even though they were healthy.[9] During the cremation a triple circular rainbow appeared above the monastery in a clear blue sky.[6] Many photographs exist of this remarkable phenomenon. While his body burnt, an object rolled from the flames to the edge of the stupa to Lopon Chechu Rinpoche. This object was quickly recovered and proved to be the Karmapa’s eyes, tongue and heart.[citation needed] This was taken[by whom?] to indicate that the body, speech and mind have come together to be saved as relics for the future and is common in only the highest of accomplished Buddhist yogis – exactly the same thing is said to have occurred during the cremation of Gampopa and the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi.[10]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangjung_Rigpe_Dorje,_16th_Karmapa_Lama
Buddhist methods truly work, regardless of how far it has been since the Buddha turned the wheel of dharma. And this great master has proven to all of us that Buddha’s teachings is still alive among the practitioners of today.