Shrine at Triten Norbutse Monastery near Kathmandu, Nepal
On the 16th lunar day of the sacred Saga Dawa month in the Tibetan Wood Snake year, June 12, 2025, at His Eminence Menri Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche passed beyond this life and entered into a state of deep meditation known as tukdam. As of June 18th, his exalted presence remains in a state of tukdam while the faithful worldwide Yungdrung Bön family offerings prayers of praise, supplication, and aspirations. One of the primary prayers being recited during this time is Offerings to the Lama, also known more formally as Lama Practice, An Ornament of Wish-granting Jewels. The English language translation of the recitation portion of the prayer was made publicly available through a previous article. Now, the preliminary visualization practice, the Tibetan language, and phonetics for chanting the Tibetan have been added. This expanded translation can be downloaded and used for personal use through this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FOa8sFpWyxXBqJ4swyHTJju6sUbAFlUL/view?usp=share_link
Observation of 49 days of prayers and offerings began on Sunday June 15th and will conclude on August 8th. Each Saturday during this time will mark a special weekly day of prayer. By reciting this prayer with heartfelt devotion and requesting blessings from the holy presence of Yongdzin Rinpoche, one can receive inconceivable blessings from the master.
His Eminence Yongdzin Rinpoche in tukdam after his outer breath has ceased. Photo shared only after similar photos were widely distributed by the monastery and abbot.
Once the internal winds cease, the channels collapse, the physical body slumps, and the warmth dissipates from the heart center, chants related to the cleansing of the sacred body will be recited while the physical remains will be ritually bathed with water mixed with special herbs. Sacred seed syllables will be written on the body, and the body will be wrapped in a pure white cloth and placed in a ku dung, a receptacle for sacred remains.
His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizen and His Eminence Menri Pönlop Rinpoche arriving from Menri Monastery in India to pay their respects to the holy presence of His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.
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On the 16th day of the sacred Saga Dawa month in the Tibetan Wood Snake year, June 12, 2025, at 7:45 AM, His Eminence Menri Yongdzin Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, master of the three lineages and spiritual elder of the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition, passed beyond this life and entered into a state of deep meditation, tukdam, at his lama residence at Triten Norbutse Monastery. In general, tukdam refers to a state of meditative stability attained by meditation masters that continues after the external breath of their physical body has ceased but the internal breath, or winds, remain. Therefore, the subtle channels through which these winds move remain stable. The area of the body containing the heart chakra remains warm to the touch. The skin remains soft, and the face retains a glow of vitality. Often, the master is sitting in meditation posture, but can also be in the yogic posture of the “sleeping lion” lying upon the right side of the body, knees together and slightly bent with the right hand under the head and the left arm resting upon the body. During this time, great care is taken to not disturb the body or interrupt the state of mediation. Great blessings can be received by connecting with the master during this important time.
After an indeterminate number of days, the internal winds cease, the channels collapse, the physical body slumps, and the warmth dissipates from the heart center. At that time, chants related to the cleansing of the sacred body are recited while the physical remains are ritually bathed with water mixed with special herbs. Sacred seed syllables are then written on the body and the body is wrapped in a pure white cloth. Disciples who connect with the lama during this time either by being near the sacred remains or at a distance, can receive great blessings.
Tsok offerings
Because the master has attained a state of enlightened realization, the prayers and rituals that are offered during this time are different than that for an ordinary being. Rather than offering prayers to support their experience of death, disciples focus upon practices to honor the teachings of the master. These prayers and practices include performing acts of virtue to benefit all beings, reciting aspirational prayers such as Tséwang’s Precious Mala of Beneficial Aspiration Prayers, the Tséwang Monlam, and practicing guru yoga in a pure and fervent way. The English language translation of Tséwang’s Precious Mala of Beneficial Aspiration Prayers has been made publicly available for personal use by and can be downloaded at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d1LOlW-w3zlTV1HRbedK625IEcwwImPI/view?usp=share_link. Additionally, the monastic community offers many tsok, or sacred feast offerings. At the time of cremation, an elaborate fire ritual called Kün Rik is performed during which a wide variety of offerings are presented to the entire cycle of deities. In honor of the great kindness and generosity of His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche throughout his life, who shared his guidance and teachings with countless sentient beings in order for them to escape the misery of cyclic existence, the English language translation of Prayers to the Lama is being made publicly available for the personal use of the worldwide Yungdrung Bön family. The prayer can be downloaded at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H0npefK4YasUAiDGTM3tLgwwbyNPypmc/view?usp=share_link
Although the master has attained the ultimate state of realization and therefore does not experience the 49 days of transiting the bardo, the 49 day period is still observed as a time to continue with aspirational and devotional prayers, renewal of vows especially those received from the master, fervent guru yoga, and acts of virtue in order to honor the teachings and spiritual guidance of the master.
Supplication to the Lord of Refuge, Menri Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche
How marvelous! Teacher of the three trainings and protector of migrating beings, you are an emanation of the omniscient Nyiwang who perfects enlightened intention with dynamic energy. Having the total perfection of the abiding nature of sutra and trantra, you hold and protect the teachings through your completely pure enlightened activities. To Yongdzin Mawé Wangpo I supplicate! (Written by the supreme Lord of Refuge, the 33rd Menri Trizen Rinpoche on the 8th lunar day of the 3rd lunar month.)
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