|
When May comes, we think of Jampal.
He was born on May 15, 1947, and he loved to gather friends on his birthday—an occasion he met with his characteristic warmth and generosity. For him, it was a celebration of being alive, of this precious human birth.
Many of you knew him as Jampal, the name he received when he was ordained by Penor Rinpoche in 2006. But for those who knew him over the decades—Carolyn and Matthew among them—he was also, and always, Clark.
Jampal lived many lives in one lifetime. He was a park ranger at Bagby Hot Springs, on Mount Hood, and in the Columbia Gorge, caring for the land he loved. He worked as an oral historian with the Oregon Historical Society, preserving the stories of places and people that fascinated him. Travel, history, and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest shaped much of his life in Portland.
There were also the more unexpected chapters—like selling elegant women’s shoes in Los Angeles, being kidnapped in South Africa—stories he told with well-timed humor. He was a dedicated runner as well, sometimes covering up to sixteen miles a day, moving through the world combining joy with discipline, the same traits he brought to his dharma practice.
Whether before his ordination or after he became a monk, Jampal was for many years the heart and sustaining energy of Dorje Ling. His presence shaped the center in ways both visible and subtle, and his commitment to the Buddhist path was unwavering.
Five years ago, as the first pandemic year came to a close, Jampal died, on May 14, 2021—just one day before his birthday. It was fitting that his coming and going were so closely joined.
To have known him—through his wide friendships, his stories of travel and adventure, his dedication to practice, his open-hearted approach to how a sangha gathers together, and his courageous journey with ALS—was to be uplifted, and near the end, deeply moved.
We will begin the evening with a recitation of the Heart Sutra, beloved by Jampal and by Buddhists in all traditions. As during previous gatherings in his honor, we will share stories, photos, and hopefully some audio of our dear friend. This year, we are also planning to remember Jampal through his love of music, which accompanied him throughout his life —opening doors to memory, feeling, and connection.
We would love to hear from you about musical connections with Jampal. If there are pieces of music you know Jampal loved, or moments when you shared music with him, we invite you to share those memories with us during this celebration of his life.
So that we have time to gather and prepare some of those pieces of music to listen to, please send titles of the songs (no need to write details that you will be sharing with us) to daggettbeverly@gmail.com.
We hope you will join us on Friday, May 15, to remember Jampal and his many contributions to Dorje Ling. Whether you knew him well or only briefly, or came to Dorje Ling after his passing, you are most welcome. It will be an evening of gratitude, remembrance, and celebration of his life.
| 
