On 8 October my very precious teacher, Akong Rinpoche, was murdered in Chinese-occupied Tibet. His students, of which I am one, were absolutely devastated when we received the news. Today his brother, Lama Yeshe, sent a very humbling message to us all, which I append here because of its utter compassion; they are both true Bodhisattvas:
Dear Friends,
It has taken me a little time to organise all the things I had to do here before I could write to let you all know my thoughts. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, it is time to let all dharma students know.
When I learnt the circumstances of my brother’s death and the identities of those who killed him and his nephew and driver, I felt extremely sorry for them because it shows how one moment of misguided anger can ruin so many lives. So, instead of feeling angry I feel compassion for them and think about how much bad karma these misguided persons have created for themselves and others.
I would like to let all our dharma friends, who wish to do something for my brother and me, know that this is the time for forgiveness. We should all have the bodhisattva attitude of mind and feel compassion and forgiveness towards those responsible for Rinpoche’s death. I have been able to forgive and this is how I was freed from my suffering.
I would like all students to reflect that when we allow our negative mind to take over we become capable of doing evil things.
As students of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche we should be proud of our association with him because all across the Tibetan areas of China many hundreds of monasteries and many thousands of people are now doing prayers. In these areas, as elsewhere in the world, Rinpoche has been able to bring together people of all ages and walks of life.
We should be so proud because he has spent his whole life working for the benefit of others without any desire for his own wealth and comfort. It has been an honour to be part of his life and we should keep his legacy alive by supporting all his activities and especially his charitable projects.
Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche was especially committed to providing education, healthcare and cultural preservation in the Tibetan areas of China, and I now earnestly request you all to support these ROKPA projects in particular.
I would like to share some beautiful words from a letter of commemoration of Rinpoche’s activity, by the 18th Dulmo Choje Rinpoche:
“Saintly, noble being that you are, you worked diligently during your entire life to serve the Buddhadharma and all living beings. With an infinite kindness, greater even than a mother’s tender love, you nurtured a flock of countless orphans; with a love greater even than the care of a cherished son, you looked after the many old and invalid people who are helpless and with no one to support them; with the finest generosity and with no bias or preference, you bestowed the gift of fulfilling the needs and wishes of the weakest—the sick and the poor; with the aid you provided, you gave a renewed strength to the dharma and culture of Tibet that had become like a lamp with no more fuel.”
Finally I would like to thank all of you who have sent messages of sympathy, I am overwhelmed by your kindness and understanding.
I urge you to keep a compassionate and positive mind, and let us now work together to continue Rinpoche’s activity,
With every good wish,
Lama Yeshe Losal
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