Tuesday
Shambhala News ServiceThe Venerable Akong Rinpoche dies in Southern China
The Venerable Akong Rinpoche who led Tibetan refugees out of Tibet along with the Vidyadhara, Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and with him was instrumental in establishing the Samye Ling Tibetan Meditation Centre in Scotland, is reported to have died in Southern China.
Click here for the full BBC news report.
The Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, was immediately informed as soon as the news broke.
A further message to the Shambhala community will be forthcoming. President Reoch has sent a message directly to the Samye Ling leadership and community.
Kindly include the Venerable Akong Rinpoche, his brother Lama Yeshe Rinpoche and other family members as well as all students, practitioners and friends associated with Akong Rinpoche and Samye Ling (Eskdalemuir monastery) in your hearts and practice at this difficult time.
Oct 18, 2013
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Thank you Adam for this response to the terrible death of Akong Rinpoche. One time here in Dublin, he spoke of Trungpa Rinpoche as his greatest teacher. His death does indeed provide a great opportunity for us all to fully realise the truth of the teachings of both Trungpa and Akong, as they would certainly have wished us to do.
Oct 9, 2013
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Adam Hart, early student of Chogyam Trungpa, who was first taught to meditate by Akong at Samye Ling in 1968 writes:
Akong Rinpoche deserved better than the demonisation he was subjected to by many, including some Shambhala sangha members. Sorrow at his tragic death should not be used to cover this up, but rather it should be the occasion for people to discover the truth – that he was a deeply compassionate man, skillful teacher, creative social worker and committed institution builder, who was complex and simple in equal measure.