Dawn Passage

Just received the news that our beloved monk Yeshe Nyonpa, who had defied life's odds for so long, finally shed his old, worn-out body at dawn this morning (you can read my very premature eulogy here). There's no need to be sad. His long-suffering years of coping with cancer have ended, and he has a perfect lama to ensure his auspicious transition (which has now been accomplished, I'm told).

And yet I'm a little sad. Yeshe radiated such good humor, and gentleness, and warmth. He was inspirational in his devotion, and his determination to extend this precious human rebirth as long as possible. He knew Jetsunma before any of us. He was a rock-solid monk for nearly 20 years. His passage leaves a wistful gap in our community. He is the first of our ordained sangha to go.

Of course we must offer our prayers and our merit to Yeshe, no matter if he's happily lounging on a lotus in Dewachen. It will benefit us and strengthen him. Let us suffuse our minds with the truth of impermanence and the power of compassion. Let us impartially consider all sentient beings as our beloved friends and brothers, and wish them all the good fortune that Yeshe enjoyed.

Comments

[KT]

Thank you, Konchog. KT

[Ma]

Some may find it hard to believe (but not you) that I have been thinking of Yeshe these past few days, and meaning to ask you about him.All my prayers will be offered. That was a beautful tribute to him, son. Ma

[dara]

Konchog, you have such an amazing gift -capturing the essence of Yeshe and what his transition means to us and using it as a teaching - thank you.

[Ani Sangye]

Thank you, Konchog, for all your beautiful comments about Yeshe-- not just today, but every time you spoke of him.

[Annie]

What a beautiful picture. I saved the last one you posted of Yeshe. Both are such lovely gifts. Thank you so much!

[yeshe lhamo]

How well you described our beloved brother...thank you, Konchog...and how wistful the gap already is.

We had him for longer than we could have hoped, because it seems he had no fear..only devotion. Devotion...which is everything.

May we never forget the teachings of impermanence and compassion...so that we will always remember those who have hopes of us.

[Chris]

Konchog it is touching to read your tribute(s) to a fellow monk. So many personal memories of Yeshe come up for me and what a warm person he was. Thank you all so much for wearing these robes and prolonging this lineage in these times!

[Wib]

Thank you Konchog for your beautiful words. We had a tsog in Sedona last night for Yeshe and your premature eulogy was read by Ani Sangye. It was very touching. Later a number of us recounted some pretty hilarious stories about Yeshe that went back many years. He certainly lived up to the translation of his name “Crazy Wisdom”. These stories of Yeshe will be told for decades, delighting new students who will come to know his devotion, determination and gentle heart. I will miss my old friend and wish him only the most auspicious rebirth and the ability to locate objects more effectively in his next life!

[suzanne taxin]

Thank you so much Konchog. You say so much and so beautifully about Yeshe. The picture of Yeshe is wonderful and it shows the wonderful warmth he had. He touched many people deeply.

This is a gentle tender time for all of us now; may we hold our Sangha members dear, and help one another to reach out to call sentient beings to our Precious Root Guru Jetsunma's miraculous activity.

Amita Rene

[Dragpa Gyaltsen]

I had the great privilege of knowing Yeshe for a short time. The first time that I had the opportunity to share his company was during the spring of 2007 when he accompanied Richard Atter and I to circle the Migyur Dorge Stupa at KPC MD. This was a time when he seemed surprisingly strong, considering his illness, and provided a lot of comfort for Richard who was ailing badly with his own now advancing Cancer.

I spoke with Yeshe for the last in this life in the early hours of Wed Jan 9th just after I finished my prayer shift around 2:30AM or so. I remember he was reading a book by the HH The Dalai Lama. We spoke for a while and talked about suppressed cancer treatments and the horrible racket that the "Medical Industrial Complex" is perpetrating on all of us. I offered to bring him some Apricot Kernels which are a often consumed as a food in Tibet and Odyana and are a potent Cancer killer(though the FDA would have us believe it is not and would prosecute anyone who provided it as treatment).

He was happy about the offer and I was very happy to be able to provide it and brought a good supply the next week giving it to Ani Aileen that she convey it to him.

I was so very sorry to hear he had passed on my subsequent prayer shift date on the early morning of the 23rd. Though I am grateful that he is now--as Konchog so aptly describes--"lounging on a lotus in Dewachen"; and yes, Ani Aileen recounted to me that Jetsunma had indeed fished him out of the Bardos and into his current repose on said lotus :)

I am every grateful to have known him for the short time that I did. He was always cheerful and full of life despite his frailty and offered us a lesson in how to pass with grace beyond this life....