On the Full Moon day of the 5th lunar month, Western date June 22nd, in 2024, Yangtön Lama Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche showed the truth of impermanence by passing beyond his physical body. He remained in meditation and, according to Khenpo Nyima Künchap Rinpoche who was his attendant during this time, the vibrant glow of his complexion only increased after his outer breath had stopped. He was well-known and well-loved by Yungdrung Bön practitioners worldwide.

His nephew, Geshe Tenzin Yangtön, is currently in their home village of Tsarka in Dolpo, Nepal and planning the construction of a memorial chorten for Yangtön Lama Tashi. In order to raise funds to support this construction, Nine Ways has established an online shop containing a limited supply of quality practice support items for sale. To view the shop, simply click on the Nine Ways Shop tab at the top of the page or follow this link: https://ravencypresswood.com/nine-ways-shop/ Due to the cost and challenges of international shipping, items are only available to be shipped to the continental United States.

It is not necessary to make a purchase in order to donate towards the construction of the memorial chorten. Donations can be made either through Nine Ways using any of the Q codes at the bottom of this article. Donations can also be made directly to Geshe Tenzin Yangton through the service Wise that transfers money internationally from one bank account to another. If this is preferred, email Raven at RCW108@gmail.com in order to obtain the needed information.

Some of the Items in the Nine Ways Shop

A Brief Biography of Yangtön Lama Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche

Yangtön Lama Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche was born into the esteemed Yungdrung Bön Yangtön lineage in 1954 in Tsarka, Dolpo in Northwest Nepal. After completing the traditional three year retreat, he attained the knowledge and experience of a tantric practitioner. As a young man, he was the first resident of the remote village of Tsarka to go to Menri Monastery in India at the behest of His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak  Rinpoche. He received his monk’s vows from both His Holiness the 33^rd Menri Trizen Lungtok Tenpé Nyima Rinpoche and His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche. After many years of study, he received the esteemed Geshe degree in 1986. Additionally, he received the dzogchen teachings from Yongdzin Sangyé Tenzin Rinpoche, Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak  Rinpoche, and Tsundue Rinpoche.  Later, he was instrumental in bringing some of his relatives such as his cousin, H.E. Menri Pönlob Trinlé Nyima Rinpoche, to Menri Monastery.  

He then became the abbot of Yanggön Thongdrol Phuntsok Ling Monastery in Tsarka, Dolpo. There, he shared his knowledge with the male and female tantric practitioners, led ritual gatherings, and gave blessings and empowerments to the local community. He was also responsible for the training and support for those undergoing the traditional three year retreat in his village. Realizing the need for a gompa in the village, he began construction of the Yanggön Thondrol Phuntsok Ling Monastery in 1988. He then relocated the old temple which housed all of the sacred texts, Tardzong Phuntsok Ling Monastery, from the opposite side of the river nearer to the village so that it could be more accessible and closer to the newly constructed temple. After this, he built a khor khang (a prayer-wheel room), a kitchen, a residence for practitioners, and a store room. In this way, he reestablished a perfect environment for the practitioners of the three year retreat and practitioners in general. Due to the strong influence of Lama Tashi, many young Tsarka villagers have traveled to India or Nepal in order to join the schools there or to take vows and study as monks or nuns. Many times, Yangton Lama Tashi underwent the arduous journey out of Tsarka in order to travel throughout the world in order to share his teachings and wisdom with Western students.

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