In Loving Memory of the Most Venerable Khenchen Appey Rinpoche
Although our dear teacher, founder and Guru has not been physically with us for a year now, we continue to experience his close guidance through the legacy of his teachings and in the example of his life of total dedication, as a true upholder of the Buddhadharma.
Khenchen Appey Rinpoche's selfless and unwavering activities in the twin spheres of Dharma education and Dharma text collection, translation, digitization, publication and distribution exemplify his deep commitment to sharing the vast and profound Buddhist teachings, world-wide.
Since he has set an example for us of founding, funding and maintaining the highest quality institutions of higher Buddhist learning, both for ordained and for lay people, and assembling key Sakya texts as the core of urgently needed, multi-language translation efforts, a path is clearly set out for us to follow.
Our sincere appreciation of the far-reaching dimensions of Khenchen Appey Rinpoche's life's work, and our admiration for his immense qualities as our Guru and Guide inspire and comfort us in the task of carrying his work forward.
We continue to experience great benefit from IBA's activities of this last week, focussing on the first anniversary rites and rituals for our Beloved Rinpoche's Parinirvana.
Of course, he has no need for our prayers.
Our pujas to consecrate his relics are part of the creation of suitable physical supports for us, and for all of Khenchen Appey Rinpoche's devotees, to accumulate the merits we will need to continue the work he has set out for us.
We are sharing our experiences with you so that you can share in this merit. May it bring you the inspiration to accomplish your Dharma goals, to help us accomplish ours, and to strengthen your Dharma practices!
We were honoured to have His Eminence, Luding Khen Rinpoche presiding over the five days of rituals, together with over eighty senior monks from different Sakya monasteries, participating with us here at IBA.
On the frosty night of January 15th, a beautiful puja was also performed at the Great Boudhanath Stupa, where an abundance of coloured lights and bright flowers ornamented the stupa on all sides, as offerings commemorating the Parinirvana anniversary days of the great Dharma King, Choegyal Phagpa and the Most Venerable Khenchen Appey Rinpoche.
The attached images are from the pujas held here at IBA, and at the Great Boudhanath Stupa.
