Most Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche

The Most Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche, Konchog Norbu (1921-2007) dissolved his body-mandala into the great expanse of the Dharmakaya in Singapore around 10 pm on December 25. Some days ago close disciples from Drikung Kagyu Religious Society in Kathmandu urged Drubwang Rinpoche not to go on a journey to Singapore due to his poor health. However Drubwang Rinpoche did not listen to them, but wanted to meet the promise he had given to the Drikung followers in Singapore. At the airport he was received by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, His Eminence Gyabra Tristab Rinpoche, and many monks. Drubwang Rinpoche had to be taken immediately to a hospital, where he passed away soon afterwards. Drubwang Konchog Norbu was considered a great master through his deep compassion and his unremitting inspiration to engage in simple dharma practices. His departure is a great loss to all Drikungpa. But it is an especially important time for all disciples to practice Guru Yoga in order to strengthen the connection with Rinpoche and receive his blessings from now until enlightenment is attained for all. Rinpoche’s body will be sent back to Nepal where final funeral rites will be performed extensively for the benefit of all of Rinpoche’s disciples and all mother sentient beings.

On January 14, 2008 over 200 monks and nuns and many foreign disciples from all over the world especially from Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia gathered in the monastery Drikung Rinchen Ling in Nayapati, Nepal, to perform the cremation of Most Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche. The ceremony was carried out in a very elaborate Vajrayana style. A hollow stupa was built as the crematory with a mandala beneath. On the morning of the 14th of January, four different fire pujas were performed simultaneously, one in each of the four directions corresponding to the four doors of the stupa. In east His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche performed the Akshobya fire puja assisted by His Eminence Ayang Rinpoche and many monks. In the north His Eminence Tritsab Rinpoche performed the Chakrasamvara fire Puja. In the west Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche performed the Chenrizig fire puja and in the south Drupon Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche performed the Yangzab fire puja. Everyone made great efforts to accomplish the pujas and the result was a very harmonious and moving ceremony. Many disciples were moved to tears by such devotion to Drubwang Rinpoche.