I am shocked and shattered to know that Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche has passed away at the hands of murderers in Chengdu on 8th of October along with his nephew and driver. I feel so helpless and lonely without his strong and courageous presence.
I knew Akong Rinpoche since I was 9 years old. He bathed me when I was dirty and nursed me when I was sick. He has been a most reliable and constant friend all my life. He was also the first to invite me to come to the West to teach.
Akong Rinpoche was a man of few words and he always did what he said. I never saw him sitting idle even for a short period and he was always doing something worthwhile. But with same ease and naturalness.
He never looked stressed or tense.
He taught us that to help the helpless is the essence of Dharma practice as well as our human responsibility. We will always miss him but I hope his mission would never come to suffer because of his absence.
I would like to pray for his swift return and to continue to help countless people who need dedicated and fearless people like him.
Ringu Tulku
