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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 37

for reflection, and ask ourselves: “if I die tomorrow, have feeling abandoned. They would have failed to recognize
I lived today in a way where there are no regrets?” Then that the whole point of the very precious and fleeting
we can feel completely satisfied. Lama Zopa maximized life of the lama is to help us relate to ourselves with the
every moment of opportunity for dharma practice and to dignity of a dharma king or queen, or of a living Buddha.
benefit others. I’m confident he knew he was dying and
did so peacefully with no regrets precisely because of the Can you share with us what final teachings we can
way he lives his life. I say the bodhisattvas live their lives learn from Lama Zopa who passed away recently?
“inside out”, they live for others’ benefit first, and then
ironically derive the most benefit and happiness of all. There are so many final teachings, at least one for every
We can all be like that, but we have to work backwards. student who had a connection with Lama Zopa. Some of
We have to start with the recognition of the certainty of us will remember his kindness and joy, others his great
death and the uncertainty of the time, and ask ourselves compassion. Some others will see his tireless efforts and
in this very moment, what is our priority? magnificent Bodhisattva deeds. Another will reflect on
death and impermanence, and from there on emptiness.
I believe you have a beautiful story to share from your The guru is empty, and therefore we can each see a vast
master Geshe Tenzin Zopa on the loss of his master? number of final teachings in his passing as a result of

our own karma and level of realization.
Yes, there is a lesson that was taught to me by Geshe
Tenzin Zopa during our recent pilgrimage to the holy Even in his final hours before passing Lama Zopa
sites in Nepal and India. When we were in Kushinigar, was discussing the building of a giant stupa and the
where the Buddha experienced parinirvana, Geshe- preserving and disseminating of lam rim texts and
la told us a powerful story about the passing of his teachings at Rachen Nunnery in the Tsum. These
own beloved lama, Geshe Konchog. He said for a brief projects offer a vision for many people to channel their
moment he was shattered, completely devastated by collective efforts in order to provide a conduit for future
the loss. He said he allowed himself to grieve totally generations to also benefit from the Dharma.
for about thirty minutes. Then he was moved by a very
powerful recognition that in fact there was no loss at all. For myself I will be creating a fundraising campaign for
Geshe Lama Konchog was always with him. the Rachen Nunnery, the stupa and lam rim projects,
and leading students there for a long retreat together
Then he went further to say, “The death of the outer guru, with Geshe Tenzin Zopa in 2024. Thus, we will continue
is the rebirth of the inner guru”. This is very profound to live in the vision of Lama Zopa, keeping him alive in
actually. It means the whole purpose of relying on the our hearts, serving him in pure guru devotion even after
guru is for you to discover the inner refuge or reliance his passing, and thereby reaping the continued karmic
on the inner guru. You are the Buddha, you have Buddha benefits for ourselves while positively impacting the
nature, everything you see in your lama, all their good lives of countless others.
qualities, their level of realization, is also available in you
as well. You are not separate from them. You are them. If And so, as in his life, so too in his death, Lama Zopa
you can practice good guru devotion to the external guru, was truly selfless, always thinking of benefiting
imagine what will happen when you realize where the others through Dharma projects. He lived and died,
ultimate guru lies? And you respect and revere yourself truly “inside out”, full of meaning, and therefore with
as someone who can have a positive impact on others. tremendous joy. That’s the final teaching as I see it.

Geshe Tenzin Zopa became an even more effective So how do we best honor our spiritual teachers
teacher with more confidence, love, compassion, and when they pass away?
deeper wisdom after the passing of his lama. From death
came new life. Those who don’t understand this will We honor our teachers by fulfilling our own potential.
forever be holding on to the memories of their departed That is our greatest gift back to them, and how we pay it
guru, and will be stuck in a bardo mourning the loss and forward to countless others. EH