It is so sad to hear that Rinpoche changed his Pure Land. But moaning alone doesn't get us anywhere. It is time to find where we are and say prayers and do meditation. It is time to feel FORTUNATE that you all met Rinpoche and all tried your best to dedicate much, or even some part, of your lives in Dharma, as much as each of you could.

The purpose of practice is to improve our lives in general and especially to prepare for the BIG DAY. The BIG DAY will come to all and each of us, unexpectedly. When it comes, if we have some spiritual experience, awakening, strength, and merits, our journey will be joyful and helpful to others. So you must remember to rejoice in what you have done for yourselves and be thankful to Rinpoche for what he shared with you. So this is a time to assess whether you are ready for the BIG DAY.

Samsara is nothing but miseries -- sickness and death. However, if we use our lives properly, we have the golden opportunity to convert our lives into lives of true peace, joy and enlightenment. Rinpoche taught all. He cheerfully taught you the characteristics of samsara: sickness and death. He gave you teachings on peace, joy and strength of our precious human life. He imparted upon you the ultimate transmission of power, the esoteric teachings and blessings. So you were very fortunate. If you recognize that, appreciate those teachings, and celebrate over those precious opportunities - this will bring great strength in your spiritual life.

For the time being, if you could, you should say some prayers and do some meditation. If you have time you should do Big Rigdzin, the Small Rigdzin or Guruyoga practice. If you don't have much time, think about the presence of, or visualize, Guru Rinpoche, who is inseparable from all the Buddhas and Rinpoche, in front of you. Then pray by chanting (loudly or quietly in your mind's voice) the Seven Line Prayer and the Guru Rinpoche mantra as many times as you can. Then receive blessings.

Rinpoche has gone beyond the limits his physical body. He has emerged with the ultimate nature, the universal Buddhahood. He is everywhere. So meditate on his presence - the ultimate peace, joy and love - inside you, outside you, everywhere.

With prayers from the heart,
Tulku Thondup