The widely revered senior Tibetan lama, His Eminence Chöje Ayang Tulku Rinpoche, a Drikung Kagyu lama of the Nyingma and Drikung lineages and renowned phowa master, died in Mysore, Karnataka, India, on 4 December. He was 82 years old.
Ayang Rinpoche was renowned for his charitable work and his extensive scholarship—in particular in relation to the advanced tantric teachings regarding the intermediate states between death and rebirth and the Pure Lands.
A public notice released by Kagon Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery in India, and dated 10 December, stated:
With profound sorrow, we share the news that His Eminence Choeje Ayang Rinpoche, the world-renowned Phowa master has entered Parinirvana at the age of 83 on the 10th Tibetan month of the Wood Dragon Year, Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, in India.
Rinpoche remained in Thugdam-a profound meditative state merging consciousness with clear light- in Padmasana.
Details of subsequent ceremonies will be shared and conducted in accordance with the guidance and instructions of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the reincarnation of Ayang Rinpoche’s root master, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Kagon Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery, India
December 10, 2024.
Born to a nomadic family in the traditional Tibetan region of Kham in 1942, Ayang Rinpoche was recognized as an incarnation of as the wisdom incarnation of the terton (Tib: treasure-revealer) Rigzin Choegyal Dorje by a delegation of senior lamas that included His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and Yongzin Jabra Rinpoche.
Ayang Rinpoche is widely regarded as a preeminent master of phowa, a spiritual practice used especially at the time of death. He has completed extensive retreats devoted to phowa and is recognized as a holder of both the Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu lineages of this practice.
After completing his early education at Drikung Thil Jangchub Ling, Ayang Rinpoche went on to pursue higher education at at Drikung Nyima Changra Philosophical College in central Tibet from 1951–55. His many teachers include Chagchen Kundzod Chig She Kundrol, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, and His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Ayang Rinpoche continues an unbroken line of succession of the Drikung Phowa lamas from the Supreme Guru Dorje Chang to the present day. Rinpoche was one of the first Drikung lamas to leave Tibet.
After traveling to India, Ayang Rinpoche lived for five years at Namdroling Monastery in Karnataka. He then initiated the construction of Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery in Bylakuppe.
A message on Ayang Rinpoche’s personal website states:
The core of Rinpoche’s vision is compassionate activity (bodhicitta) undertaken from pure motivation and supported by strong practice. These three themes—compassionate activity, pure motivation, and strong practice are woven through all of Rinpoche’s talks, activities, and directions. The three are not separate and one gets a strong sense that each supports, even enables the others. Without all three, there is an imbalance. (His Eminence Chöje Ayang Rinpoche)
As part of his aspiration to preserve Tibetan Buddhist and cultural heritage, Ayang Rinpoche founded the Amitabha Foundation in 1989, which now has centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, Asia, and the United States. His charitable projects have included a medical clinic and ambulance, schools, and material support in the Kham region of Tibet and Opak Kyilkhor Chöling (Amitabha Mandala Retreat Center) in Kopan, Kathmandu.
Ayang Rinpoche founded four interrelated types of center: monasteries in southern India and Tibet; a phowa teaching center in Bodh Gaya, India, retreat centers in Nepal and India; and Amitabha Foundation Centers throughout the world.
Death is inevitable, but how you die—terrified and confused, or with confidence and spiritual mastery—is within your control. — HE Chöje Ayang Tulku Rinpoche
See more
His Eminence Chöje Ayang Rinpoche
Amitabha Foundation
H E Choeje Ayang Rinpoche (Facebook)
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