Thursday

Lady Könchok Enters Samadhi

Details about how to practice with Lady Könchok at this time can be found at the end of this article.

Lady Könchok Palden, mother of the Kongma Sakyong, Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche, entered samadhi Wednesday, June 12, 2019, Guru Rinpoche day in the Buddhist holy month of Saga Dawa. In addition to the Sakyong and his family, she is survived by her husband Pema Gyaltsen Rinpoche, her son Gyurme Dorje Lama and his family, and relatives in Lhasa.

Lady Könchok Palden was born in Kham in eastern Tibet in 1931. At an early age she was ordained as a nun and spent more than a dozen of her early years, including most of her teens, in retreat, under the guidance of the renowned yogi Lama Tuga.

In 1959, she joined the Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche on his escape from Tibet. The journey took six months, during which time they were joined by hundreds of Tibetans hoping to reach sanctuary in India.

Lady Konchok Palden with the Sakyong at a Long Life Ceremony he performed for her on April 12, 2011.

While in India, Lady Könchok gave birth to the Sakyong, the Vidyadhara’s first son and heir, in Bodhgaya, the site of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment. Then a few years later, she married Lama Pegyal and lived with her family in the north Indian town of Bir, near the foothills of the Himalayas. In the Tibetan community, she was known for her deep practice.

In 1992, she came to the United States to live, spending time in residence at Karmê Chöling in Vermont and then at Marpa House in Boulder. She was a much-loved figure throughout the Shambhala world, often attending teachings given by the Sakyong and befriending all generations.

In 2003, Lady Könchok suffered a stroke, underwent a remarkable recovery, but required regular dialysis. A care team of Shambhala members has given her sustained support throughout this last phase of her life, and she was able to live with her family in the supportive, contemplative environment of Marpa House.

As with much of her life, she spent most of her last years in meditation, reading and reciting sacred texts, and taking part in pujas. She enjoyed practicing, spending time with her grandchildren, and forever extending her heart to others.

For those with a tender connection to Lady Könchok Palden, you are warmly invited to sit with her body at Marpa House this Saturday, June 15, through Tuesday, June 18. There will be two opportunities each day, 10am to 11:45am and 2pm to 6pm. Please arrive during these times and be seated in the shrine room. Small groups will be escorted to Lady Könchok’s room to sit with her there for a short while.

Following the family’s wishes, there will be a private cremation ceremony for family.

As Lady Könchok is an accomplished Dzogchen practitioner, there is no need for any sukhavati, or burning of her photo. For those who wish to, the Sakyong recommends that we could accumulate the following: Vajrasattva mantras, Seven-Line Supplication to Guru Rinpoche, or OM MANI PADME HUM mantras. Rather than helping her, these practices will be a way for us to join in her practice during this transitional period.

Condolences may be sent to David Brown at [email protected]. They will be collected and passed on to the Sakyong and family via the Sakyong Potrang.