5 October 2013 – New Delhi
Upon arriving in Delhi on 30 September, the Gyalwang Karmapa and Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche visited the 7th Neydo Karma Chagme Rinpoche who was hospitalized in Delhi at that time. The Gyalwang Karmapa and Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche offered him their combined blessings and prayers.
Just a few days later, on the morning of 3 October, Chagme Rinpoche passed away, entering the sacred meditative state of ‘thugdam’ in a sign of his high degree of realization.
Within hours of Chagme Rinpoche’s entering into thugdam meditation, the Gyalwang Karmapa went to his side to preside over the customary rituals. While there, he spent time making powerful monlam prayers seated beside Chagme Rinpoche who remained in a state of thugdam meditation.
In his late 80s, Chagme Rinpoche was a senior and highly respected master in the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, and head of the Nyedo Tashi Choling Monastery in Nepal. He was widely renowned for his skills in astrology and medicine. In particular, Rinpoche was esteemed for his ability to cure different diseases and ailments, and was sought out by people all across the Himalayan region and indeed the world seeking healing.
Chagme Rinpoche’s previous incarnations have also played important historical roles, with the 1st Karma Chagme ensuring the continuity of many Karma Kagyu lineage transmissions and practices during a time when they might otherwise have become lost.
