Obituary: Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche, the founder of the Druk Odiyana Foundation and head of Ugyen Dongag Yoeseling Chholing monastery at Takila, Lhuentse remains in Thugdam in Bangkok where he passed away in the early hours of January 19, 2017.

The Druk Odiyana Foundation in its press release states that disciples and devotees of Rinpoche may offer their prayers in private for the time being, and plans for organisation of prayer ceremonies and other related information will be prepared and shared after the conclusion of Thugdam.

Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche was born on the day of Guru Rinpoche, the 10th day of the 4th month in the year of the Rat (May 10, 1934).

Rinpoche was above all a devoted servant and lama of His Majesty The King of Bhutan until his passing, states the press release. Under His Majesty’s patronage and guidance, Rinpoche completed the construction of the world’s tallest Guru Rinpoche statue in 2016 in Takila, Lhuentse.

Rinpoche was recognised as an extremely humble though highly realised and accomplished master by all.

Rinpoche’s spiritual journey and studies began from the age of 12. He received his refuge vow in 1957 and completed buddhist teachings over the course of 31 years from HH Dudjom Rinpoche. He received his Boddhisattva vow and full ordination in 1961 from HH Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the supreme head of the Nyingma tradition.  In 1970, he attained the title of Khenpo and subsequently was also made the heart son of both HH Dudjom Rinpoche and HH Dzogchen Ponlo Khenpo Rinpoche.

Rinpoche received profound teachings from great masters such as HH Chatral Rinpoche, HH Minling Trichen Rinpoche and HH Penor Rinpoche. For instance, he received the complete Ngyinthig empowerment and reading transmissions from HH Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche and HH Dodrupchen Rinpoche. HH Dudjom Rinpoche declared the blessings and teachings of Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche to be “non dual and non distinctive from what you receive from me”.

Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche was recognised as the most eminent teacher of the Dudjom Tersar Lineage. In recent years, he expressed that he felt especially satisfied in receiving the destiny of serving under the King of Bhutan, states the press release.

Staff reporter