A Tribute to Rager Ossel

Rager Ossel has died suddenly in Brussels during a visit to attend Ringu Tulku Rinpoche's teachings in April this year. He was founder of In Touch technologies and a founding member of the board of the Karmapa Foundation Europe, supporting the KFE website and online activities. Rager first came across Buddhism when he was 20 years old after meeting 16th Karmapa and since that time he has devoted his life to Dharma, using his skills in IT to help facilitate sharing live teachings of His Holiness Karmapa directly into our homes. He also initiated the live transmission of the Bodhgaya Monlam ceremonies, through his communications company In Touch.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, in particular his daughter, Marieke and his three sons, Mensur, Rager jnr. and Ender.  Bodhicharya Ireland joins Ringu Tulku in sending our prayers to Rager's family and friends.  He will be hugely missed in the extended Buddhist community.

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche has paid a wonderful tribute to Rager and his life's work, which can also be read on the Bodhicharya.org and KFE websites.

Rager Ossel, left, and Ger Reinders, with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche in Brussels.   photo Rager Ossel. 9.4.19

"Rager Ossel or Karma Gyurme was a close friend of mine and I knew him for over 40 years. He often used to come to Sikkim to see HH the 16th Karmapa. He was a devoted student of the Karmapa and his devotion never wavered all through his life. He served the HH the 17th Karmapa also in many ways including as a Director of Karmapa Foundation Europe.

He drove Karmapa in Europe and also in USA. The 16th Karmapa told him not to become a monk but serve the Dharma and people through his training and expertise in computer technology. He started the company InTouch more as a mission than a business and was always ready to help people in whatever way possible.

I never saw a man whose heart was as pure and with no grudge against anybody. He was always there to help anyone in need. I am sure that his journey beyond would therefore be all well and good but I have informed all the great masters of our lineage to pray for him and 49 days of practices are being done in both men’s and women’s three year retreats in Palpung Sherab Ling.

I would like to express my deep condolences to his family and friends and pray for a wonderful rebirth. His absence will be a big vacuum in my life and I will miss him deeply."

Ringu Tulku
Berlin, April 2019