[news] The Cremation Puja of our Guru on 8 August 2011.

The following is the account of what happened on this special day fixed for the cremation puja of the holy body of His Eminence Khensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche:

At 7.44 am, the rainbow body of Rinpoche was taken from his room towards the stupa crematorium.

The Stupa crematorium

On 8 August 2011, 8am, the ceremony commenced. The Sangha members take the step to prepare the stupa. The rainbow body was placed into the stupa together with many items needed for the ceremation.

At the same while this is going on, the monks from both the Gaden Monasteries, name Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangtse, recited sacred texts and prayers.

The preparation was completed in approximately one and a half hour.

At 9.35am, the actual ritual puja began. It was led by the senior monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery, namely, the abbot Khen Rinpoche Jangcup Choeden, the former abbot Kensur Rinpoche Konchok Tsering, Shartrul Rinpoche. (We understand the ritual performed was that of Vajrasattva Self Generation.)

The first flame of the cremation was lid at the stupa at 10.00am.

Then two amazing things happened during the puja. First, at around 10.35am, a dizzle of rain fell and stopped immediately after one minute. Second, a few minutes before the fire puja concluded, at 11.00am, Rain fell again for twenty-six minutes, then stopped again. Some called this “Blessing Rain”.

The Puja officially concluded at 11.35am.

When we last spoke to monks in the monastery, they were waiting to close the crematorium stupa and also prepare offering. According to the monks, everything went smoothly and rejoiced at the excellent outcome of the Puja.

Om Mani Pedme Hum!