Letters expressing their sorrow at the passing of Shamar Rinpoche have been written by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje, leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage, His Holiness Sakya Trizin, leader of the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, head of the Drikung Kagyu, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, one of the highest teachers of the Nyingma lineage, Lama Ole Nydahl, founder of Diamond Way Buddhism, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, as well as many other eminent Buddhist teachers, whose letters are published on Shamar Rinpoche’s website.
His Majesty the 4th King of Bhutan Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck also wrote a letter of condolence to Rinpoche’s brother Lama Jigme Rinpoche.
H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is the lineage head of the Karma Kagyu, and was recognised by Shamar Rinpoche and received the Karma Kagyu transmissions from him in accordance with tradition.
Letter from H.H Karmapa on his website [PDF]
Dear Dharma Friends,
Even the greatest beings, including Lord Buddha himself, pass away. The impermanence of life is among the core teachings of the Buddha dharma.
His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche passed away this morning. Sadly, his physical manifestation has left our material world. Yet he was and continues to be our teacher, and his aspirations and blessings will remain with us always.
We must dedicate our merits and practice to him, and do the practice of Amitabha, since he himself is the emanation of Amitabha.
So we must ask for his return, in order to benefit and guide us all towards enlightenment.
I would also like to express my compassion for His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche’s brother, Jigme Rinpoche, as well as the rest of his family and his students.
With prayers,
Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
New Delhi, June 11 2014
His Holiness Sakya Trizin
His Holiness Sakya Trizin is the head of the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The following is an English translation of his letter.
A special offering for the precious illuminator of the Buddha’s teachings, Jigme Rinpoche, together with the central disciples:
Recently I heard the news that His Holiness the supreme Shamar Rinpoche suddenly passed away. At that, I was filled with regret. Because of this I am offering these well-wishes in order to console the hearts of all for whom I have generated equal tenderness.
The supreme Shamar Rinpoche departed peacefully and spontaneously, while protecting and supporting vast Buddha activities, taking great care, as a friend, of all beings and the teachings, in broad terms and in detail. Despite the occurrence of this immeasurable loss, both public and private, rely without delay on the Buddha activities. [Do that] and for the sake of the good fortune of the teachings and all beings the unmistaken young rebirth of his completely perfected undefiled mind continuum will swiftly appear again, free of confusion.
I make this aspiration to the boundless, victorious Three Jewels, together with the aspiration for his mind continuum to remain.
Sakya Trizin
Sakya International Center for Buddhist Studies, Spain
June 12, 2014
His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche is the throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage.
To Jigme Rinpoche, the Supreme Emanation, Illuminator of the Teachings:
When I heard the message bestowed upon all by the Noble Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje that this morning, due to the nature of impermanence, the physical form of the Noble 14th Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodro had departed peacefully, I became filled with regret.
Hence I am presenting this offering to console the minds of his relatives and friends. In accordance with the primary intention of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Dorje, may the emanations of Shamarpa continuously appear. [May] non-attachment to this event be the cause of supporting his activities, which are a balm for the teachings and all beings.
Drikung Chetsang
Year of the Wood Horse (2014), June 11
Lama Ole Nydahl
Lama Ole Nydahl is the founder of over 600 Diamond Way centres in the Karma Kagyu tradition. Lama Ole and his wife Hannah met Shamar Rinpoche when he was a young man studying with the 16th Karmapa in the Himalayas. They received many teachings and initiations together, and Hannah travelled with and interpreted for Rinpoche for many years.
Lama Ole’s letter on his website
Dearest Karma Kagyu friends worldwide,
We just had the deep loss of HH Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche from this world. However, as a Bodhisattva of unique qualities—both during and between his incarnations—he offers indestructible opportunities for many to absorb aspects of his immense blessing and insight.
Therefore: till we have the chance of meeting him in an incarnate situation again, let us remember him while invoking the Buddha of Limitless Light: OM AMI DEWA HRIH. He was truly a unique teacher and great example.
Yours,
Lama Ole Nydahl
Diamond Way Buddhism of the Karma Kagyu lineage
Munich, June 11th, 2014
Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche is a highly respected lama of the Kagyu lineage and is a “Maniwa’, a title given to masters of the Chenrezig practice who have accomplished at least a billion Om Mani Peme Hung mantras. Rinpoche was ordained in Rumtek by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Today entire Buddhism, specially Karma Kagyu lineage fall in darkness with very tragic news of H.H. Shamar Rinpoche’s sudden passing away.
We are still in shocked with unimaginable news. We are paying gratitude to our late teacher H.H. Rinpoche with practicing worthy teachings received from him. Physically late Rinpoche is not with us but his planted seed of peace, love and dharma are within us. We are doing Amitabha prayers and calling guru from afar for his swift reincarnation.
We want to express our deepest condolences to Ven. Jigme Rinpoche and other family members.
Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and DSL family
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche is the reincarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who was head of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism from 1987 to 1991. Dilgo Khyentse’s message.
As I have heard an unfortunate news that Kunzeg Shamar Rinpoche has passed away. As you know Shamar Rinpoche was close to our late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and all of us, so we all are doing prayers and offering butter lamps in the name of Shamar Rinpoche. May all of us wish a swift rebirth of Shamar Rinpoche.
Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche
His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche
A supplication to the ears of all companions who abide scattered in the east and west of this world:
Now, even though one may feel inconceivable suffering and regret at the dissolution into the space of reality (dharmadhatu) of the supreme mind continuum of the Noble Victor Shamar Mipham Chokyi Lodro, there is nothing to be done as the nature of the world is dharmata itself.
However, according to Your aspiration, Protector, along with the love generated equally by Your followers there is not only a memorial service but also precisely according to Your intention, our Guide, an advancement of our stainless tradition, the supreme practice lineage which is the overview and detailed explanations of the Buddha’s Doctrine.
Along with my consolations, by generating a vast mind, a trained mind without discouragement, [I make this] request one-pointedly for the sake of your rebirth, an homage and wish for expanding the teaching of the Karma Kamtsang Practice Lineage like a river’s flow swells in the summer.
[I] make this aspiration prayer that You, Protector, will swiftly manifest your emanation.
Jamgon Mingyur Dragpa Senge
2014, June 13
Shangpa Rinpoche
Shangpa Rinpoche is responsible for a number of Karma Kagyu monasteries and nunneries in Nepal and India. He was ordained by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Read Shangpa rinpoche’s letter on his website.
Dear Dharma Brothers and Sisters,
Very sadly, HH Shamar Rinpoche has passed away. I feel very sad at this time. Yet after much deliberation, the enlightened activities of parinirvana is also another start of manifestation of nirmankaya. Thus, we should reflect it to remind ourselves of impermanence and put our time and effort towards the practice of Dharma. In order to tame the people who are in the view of eternalism, even lord Buddha also enter into the Parinirvana.
I know all our disciples are deeply affected and feel sad over Shamar Rinpoche’s passing away and wish to do lots of practice to fulfil with wishes of Rinpoche. I strongly advise you to practice Amitabha prayers and recite the mantra of Amitabha. Also to end every session of practice with calling the guru from afar. During the practice, there are a few things that we need to remember. First and foremost is Guru Devotion. HH Shamar Rinpoche is our Root and lineage holder of our teachings therefore unwavering faith is important. Secondly, with such devotion, Guru’s wisdom mind and our nature of mind merge inseparably so that four empowerments from Guru are transmitted to us. Next although the physical body of Guru has passed away, the wisdom nature of Guru’s awareness is always present with us. Whenever we call guru, guru is always there to bless us. Guru’s physical manifestation appears like a moon’s reflection on a pond. Our devotion is like the pond and Guru’s physical manifestation is like moon’s reflection. The devotion from the disciple is an important factor fir the guru to reincarnate.
Therefore, we should emphasize much on Guru Devotion and wish strongly that our Great Guru return to liberate us soon. For that, it is good to practice Amitabha Puja (since he is menifested from Buddha Amitabha) and make daily lamp offerings.
These are the things disciples can do to express our sincere devotions to the guru and wish to see the return of HH Shamar Rinpoche again to lead and liberate us. I am also doing these and practicing guru devotion and Amitabha prayer and Calling Guru from afar daily.
In all my life, may I never separate with the Perfect Guru and enjoy to the glorious profound Dharma. With that may I perfect the path and bhumis progressively and swiftly attain the state of Vajra Dhara.
Shangpa
The Lamas of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, Kathmandu
Read the letter here.
Today’s startling news that H.H. Gyalwa Shamarpa Rinpoche has entered parinirvana at his Dharma Centre in Germany came as a great shock, filling us with sadness. Rinpoche’s very sudden and entirely unexpected passing is a tremendous loss to Buddhism, specifically to the Kagyu Lineage, and to a great many Dharma practitioners everywhere. It is as though the blackness of night has suddenly swallowed up our world.
Our sangha pray that Gyalwa Shamarpa’s enlightened activities and vast aspirations for the benefit of all beings continue to unfold, without interruption, and quickly reach fruition.
We wish to express our deepest condolences to Jigme Rinpoche, to Gyalwa Shamarpa Rinpoche’s other family members and to his extensive sangha.
May the sun of his next incarnation dawn as soon as possible!
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, Phakchok Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Yangsi Rinpoche
Lama Jampa Thaye
Lama Jampa Thaye has founded many dharma centres of the Sakya and Kagyu lineage. Lama Jampa Thaye is a teacher at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, a project of the 16th Karmapa that was completed by Shamar Rinpoche after Karmapa’s death.
Dear Dharma Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche’s passing. Our great master passed away suddenly this morning at the Bodhi Path center in Renchen-Ulm, Germany.
It is a tragic loss for the Karma Kagyu tradition and we feel it with a particular sharpness since it is only nine days since Rinpoche was with us. However, since the Guru’s dharmakaya is beyond coming and going, we should all strive to unite our mind with his during this time and follow the advice of His Holiness Karmapa.
With best wishes and blessings,
Lama Jampa Thaye
