Tsem Rinpoche Parinirvana

Today with a heavy heart, we share the sad news of the passing into parinirvana of His Eminence Kyabje Tsem Tulku Rinpoche Tenzin Zopa Yonten Gyatso of Gaden Monastery and Kechara Buddhist Organisation.

H.E. Tsem Rinpoche was a world-renowned Buddhist teacher, the 25th incarnation from a long line of Indian, Nepali and Tibetan Buddhist masters dating back to over 2500 years ago. He was the founder of the Kechara Buddhist Organisation headquartered in Malaysia, a prolific author of commentaries, discourses and books on Buddhism, and a beloved spiritual guide to many disciples around the world. He dedicated his entire life to the practice and proliferation of Buddhism especially through the digital world.

His Eminence has been in poor health for a number of months. Previously on the advice of His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Drubwang Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, and other eminent masters of our lineage, many sacred pujas and longevity rituals were performed for His Eminence’s health. Due to the blessings of these prayers, His Eminence had been recovering until recently.

At 9.49pm on September 4th, 2019 according to the Western calendar and on the 6th day of the seventh month of the Earth Boar Year of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche concluded his earthly enlightened activities and entered into clear light. From the moment of his passing until the present time, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has remained in a state of thukdam (clear light death meditation).

When H.E. Tsem Rinpoche emerges from thukdam, we will notify all concerned of the time and place to pay respects to his holy body. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support during this difficult time from members of the public, lamas and friends from around the world.

With the imparting of this very sad news of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche’s passing, we request students, friends and devotees both from the East and the West to fulfil all the wishes of His Eminence Kyabje Tsem Tulku Rinpoche Tenzin Zopa Yonten Gyatso by continuing to engage in Dharma activities and benefiting beings.

On behalf of Tsem Ladrang

5 September 2019