Dear dharma friends:
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing into parinirvana of Ven. Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, master of dharma and servant of the teachings and His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa.
All of us at KTD Monastery extend our condolences to Rinpoche’s family and to all at Kunzang Palchen Ling.
In recent days Tenzin Chonyi, Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin, Khenpo Karma Tenkyong, Khenpo Sangye Trinley, and other lamas and monastics of KTD Monastery visited Rinpoche and his family at his home, and KTD President Lama Karma Drodhul and Lama Lodro Lhamo visited Rinpoche just one day before his passing. Rinpoche’s serene appearance and his devoted recitation of Karmapa Khyenno and other mantras and prayers brought a peace and light to all in his presence.
At the beginning of KTD’s history, it was Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and KTD’s first President Tenzin Chonyi who worked together to carry out the sacred commands of their guru, His Holiness the 16thKarmapa, by establishing KTD Monastery in upstate New York. First, they helped renovate the former Mead’s Mountain House on Mount Guardian in Woodstock. Then they built a traditional Tibetan temple on the land.
While the KTD shrine building was under construction in the 1980s, Rinpoche could be seen on a daily basis in his robes and a tool belt, climbing ladders and assisting with concrete, wood, and steel. Later, he traveled extensively all over America, creating and nurturing dharma centers in Karmapa’s name. In more recent years, Rinpoche has devoted himself to writing and teaching and preserving the Barway Dorje treasure teachings at Kunzang Palchen Ling.
Rinpoche’s contribution to dharma in America is uncountable and vast. We join our prayers with those of thousands of others who were touched by his wisdom and insight. May all those who mourn his passing be comforted.
In the coming days, KTD will announce a series of pujas in honor of Rinpoche. Karmapa Khyenno – may Rinpoche’s light continue to illuminate the world, and may his rebirth swiftly return.
