Revered Tibetan Buddhist Lama Ayang Rinpoche Passes Away at 83

The highly revered 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 December 4. He was 82.

Ayang Rinpoche was renowned for his charitable work and his vast knowledge, especially regarding advanced tantric teachings concerning the intermediate states between death and rebirth and the Pure Lands.

A public notice issued by the Kagon Thupten Shedrub Jangchub Ling Monastery in India, dated December 10, stated:

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that His Eminence Choeje Ayang Rinpoche, the world-renowned Phowa master, entered Parinirvana at the age of 83 in the 10th Tibetan month of the Year of the Wood Dragon, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in India.

Rinpoche remained in Thugdam – a deep 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 into a nomadic family in the traditional Tibetan region of Kham in 1942, Ayang Rinpoche has been recognized as the embodiment of the wisdom of terton (Tib: treasure revealer) Rigzin Choegyal Dorje by a delegation of senior lamas which included His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and Yongzin Jabra Rinpoche.

Ayang Rinpoche is widely regarded as a preeminent master of phowaa spiritual practice used especially at the time of death. He has conducted extensive retreats devoted to phowa and is recognized as the holder of the Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu lineages of this practice.

After completing his early studies at Drikung Thil Jangchub Ling, Ayang Rinpoche continued his advanced studies at the Drikung Nyima Changra Philosophical College in central Tibet from 1951 to 1955. His many teachers included 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 Drikung Phowa lamas from Supreme Guru Dorje Chang to the present day. Rinpoche was one of the first Drikung lamas to leave Tibet.

After travelling 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 sound practice. These three themes: compassionate activity, pure motivation, and sound practice are woven into all of Rinpoche's talks, activities, and directions. The three are not separate, and there is a strong sense that each supports, even enables, the others. Without these three elements, 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 centres in Asia, Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States. Its charitable projects include a medical clinic and ambulance, schools and material support in the Kham region of Tibet and at Opak Kyilkhor Chöling (Amitabha Mandala Retreat Centre) in Kopan, Kathmandu.

Ayang Rinpoche founded four types of interrelated centers: the monasteries of 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
HE Choeje Ayang Rinpoche (Facebook)

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