Lama Shenpen's husband and teacher Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche passed away yesterday evening
Rigdzin Shikpo passed away yesterday evening, at about 8pm on Friday 28th April. He just suddenly had cardiac arrest and the paramedics couldn't save him.
So last night we made offerings to the stupa and offering the lights to the stupa, with prayers such as the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche, Guru Rinpoche songs and the Samantabhadracharyapranidhana. We also did simply formless meditation, understanding this as a practice of guru yoga, recognizing that all our meditation and practice unites us with the heart and mind of the Guru.
This is the best way to practice at a time like this, to think of all our practice very strongly as strengthening our samaya connection with Rigdzin Shikpo Rinpoche.
We will now sing the long life prayer to Rigdzin Shikpo (slightly amended) before and after each of our sessions for the next seven weeks:
Guru Rigdzin Shikpo, Precious Teacher
Who expresses the Vastness and Depth of Mahayana Maha-Ati,
The inseparability of Guru Padmakara and Buddha Shakyamuni,
Please grant us the Dharma we can live and die by.
May our hearts remain as one, Your intention realized,
May the vision of Lord Longchenpa be fulfilled.
As always you're invited to come together with us for morning (7am every day) and evening puja (7:30pm every day except Sunday and Monday) at https://ahs.org.uk/meet/hermitage/meditation.
It's very appropriate for us to be practicing together at this time after Rigdzin Shikpo's passing away. I will be with you all in spirit as you practice today and I'll be in touch with you all again very soon.