In Memory of Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche
During his lifetime, the late Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche inspired countless individuals to lead a better life and his benevolent activity continues to this day through his many students and friends and the organisations he so carefully established around the world.
As the second anniversary of his passing approaches, we invite you to join us in reflecting on Rinpoche’s achievements and to consider how best we can honour our commitment to him.
There are so many ways to strengthen Rinpoche’s activity and to deepen our connection with him.
Dharma Activity
In recognition of Akong Rinpoche’s Dharma activity, and for the benefit of his students, Drupon Rinpoche will begin his teachings at Samye Ling on 8th October, the anniversary of Rinpoche’s passing.
Environmental Protection
This was dear to Akong Rinpoche’s heart and he dedicated a great deal of time and resources to protecting the fragile Tibetan ecosystem. Countless sentient beings depend on this world for life and we can all support Rinpoche’s environmental work, wherever we live. Consequently, we are offering the opportunity to sponsor trees and shrubs to be planted here at Samye Ling. If this is something you would like to help with, please let us know by sending an email to info@akongmemorialfoundation.org. Alternatively, if you would prefer to plant trees or shrubs in your own locality, you can email us with the details.
Saving Lives
In addition to saving lives through sponsoring the release of animals destined for slaughter, we have the ability to save lives by reducing or giving up our consumption of meat, poultry and fish. Rinpoche spoke at length about the benefits of doing so from both a Buddhist and a health perspective.
Another simple way in which we can help save lives is through donating blood. If this is something you would like to do in honour of Rinpoche, then please email us at info@akongmemorialfoundation.org to register your commitment.
Tara Rokpa
As a doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine, Akong Rinpoche dedicated much of his time to the establishment of hospitals and clinics and to the preservation of traditional herbal medicine in Tibetan Areas of China.
He actively encouraged his students to look after their health and to refrain from unhealthy lifestyles.
We all know the harm that can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. Not only does it pose significant health risks, affecting thousands of individuals, and costing the NHS an estimated £3.5 billion each year, but it also causes immense suffering within families and communities the world over.
In the spirit of his loving concern for us we therefore invite you to consider giving up or reducing your consumption of alcohol and/or tobacco. On a worldly level, such a commitment brings health, social and economic benefits and from the dharmic point of view such a vow, taken with correct motivation, can generate vast merit.
With this in mind, we would like to share these words spoken by Akong Rinpoche at the last empowerment he gave at Samye Ling on the 27th of May, 2013, where he bestowed the Guru Rinpoche Long Life Initiation (click here for the full transcript):
“Two things I would appreciate, to eat less meat and to smoke less. That would be benefiting for you and since it is benefiting for you, I myself will be very, very happy.”
If you are inspired to help fulfil Rinpoche’s vision for a better, more compassionate world and would like to make a commitment(s) to reduce or give up your consumption of meat/poultry/fish/tobacco/alcohol then email us at info@akongmemorialfoundation.org to give details of the level of commitment and duration for which you intend to keep it.
Dolma Lhakang
As the Tibetan Seat of Akong Rinpoche, Dolma Lhakang Monastery has always played a vital part in Rinpoche’s activities. Home to several hundred monks and nuns, many of whom are serious practitioners and scholars, it has, since Rinpoche’s passing, fallen to us to ensure the continuation of his monastery.
If you would like to help support Rinpoche’s Tibetan sangha please email charity@rokpauk.org
The merit generated by contributing to each of these activities and making commitments with pure motivation will be dedicated to the benefit of all sentient beings.
As previously, we will be compiling a list of the names, and commitments made before 8th of October, to be presented to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and Chamgon Khentin Tai Situpa.