Two weeks after The Third Terchen Barway Dorje, Karma Drupgyu Tenpay Nyima, dissolved his wisdom into the dharmadhātu a group of more than fifty khenpos, retreat lamas, and male and female tantrikas from four monasteries—Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, the seat of the glorious Gyalwang Karmapa; Palpung Thubten Chöling; the practice community of Namgyal Rinpoche, the grandson of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche; and Bardor Rinpoche’s seat Kunzang Palchen Ling—performing authentic ceremonies and fire offerings, cremated this holy being’s remains.
During this outer signs included the appearance of clouds shaped like a double vajra—signifying upaya—and a joy swirl—signifying prajña—in the otherwise immaculate expanse of the sky.
Inner signs included the fact that, although those witnessing this were grieving the passing of their guru, they all experienced strong feelings of inexpressible joy, love for one another, pure perception, and devotion. Many of the participants have reported this to me, and I experienced these things myself.
As a secret sign, because this holy being is a rebirth of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe, who held the lineage of forceful mantra, even while the sky was clear the roar of the turquoise dragon—thunder—resounded.
There were many such signs, many of them photographed or recorded in videos by faithful disciples; I hope to introduce these in more detail.
From The Books of the Kadampas:
Through this middle way of yogic practice
One travels the middle way to the middle way’s expanse.
The outer sign is a clear sky.
When a holy being passes away
The drum of the gods resounds without clouds.
From Liberation Through Wearing:
A cloudless clear sky,
Sound, light, rays, fire, and smoke are signs,
Swirling clockwise and spreading.
Accordingly, thunder was heard from a clear sky, and multiple rainbows the like of which none of us had seen before appeared. Then a sudden rainfall began, and everyone gathered there blazed with indescribable joy. The extraordinary indications that arose were amazing!
When a holy being passes we inherit their deeds,
Which include indescribable, inconceivable wonders we can see.
I’ve written this note as it came to my mind,
As an accurate account. May this help others!
For more than nineteen years I accompanied this holy being as his attendant; I am alive and survive him only because of his loving blessing.
Written by Tashi Topgyal, given the title Retreat Lama, on April 22, 2021.