Traditionally ceremonies are held around the clock for the period of 49 days after the passing of a great master, and His Holiness Karmapa requested accordingly, that each of the main Kagyu monasteries in the valley should perform specific pujas at Tek Chok Ling, two monasteries per week taking on this responsibility, for six weeks. The final seventh week was undertaken by Rinpoche’s own anis, from Tek Chok Ling and Karma Drubdey Nunnery in Bhutan. During this period Rinpoche’s remains were preserved in state in his private quarters, and many great lamas, and global disciples, came to quietly pay their respects.

His Holiness Karmapa, announced that the day of the parinirvana of Lord Gampopa would be an auspicious day for Rinpoche’s cremation, so the date of 19th August was set. The 49 days of observances were completed on the 13th August, and in the following week the cremation stupa was constructed, as per Rinpoche’s wishes, at Pullahari Monastery, perched in the hills surrounding Kathmandu valley. Arrangements were made to accommodate the many devoted English and Mandarin speaking students, to gather together for the three days prior to the cremation at Pullahari, to practice and sing songs of realization.

On the 16th August Rinpoche’s remains were removed from his private quarters and driven up the hill to be placed in state, with great ceremony, in the main shrine hall of Pullahari Monastery. For the following three days, while the monks of Pullahari, and Rinpoche’s anis performed pujas in the main shrine hall downstairs, the Western and Asian students also practiced in the shrine hall above.

When the day of the cremation arrived, the cremation ceremony was kept small and intimate in keeping with Khenpo Rinpoche’s wishes. Only one yidam practice was selected, Rinpoche’s root yidam, the Protectress Tara. On the circular terrace in front of the great shrine hall, overlooked by the golden shrine of Jamgon Kongtrul, hugged by banks of soft grass, and surrounded by blossoming trees and vast views of the valley, the cremation stupa was resplendent with decoration and rainbow banners. As Rinpoche’s remains were carried in procession around the shrine building and down to the cremation stupa, all looked on in great reverence and respect. The ceremonies began, overseen by the Venerable Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and the Venerable Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and the gathered onlookers had a last chance to pay their respects before the cremation fires were lit.

Khenpo Rinpoche’s ashes were brought back to his quarters at Tek Chok Ling on the 22nd of August.