On the way from the airport at Bagdogra to Kalimpong, hundreds of people had gathered in multiple locations along the way to pay their last respects. Various Rinpoches and the monks have started conducting Vajrayogini puja which will last for a week. Next, will be the Five Deities Chakrasamvara practice as a form of offering to the Kudung of Shamar Rinpoche. While at Kalimpong disciples from Bhutan, Sikkim and the district of Darjeeling will be coming to pay their respects.
Dignitaries from the Embassy of Bhutan in India and high lamas, among whom H.E. Jamgon Kontrul Rinpoche, H.E. Beru Khentse Rinpoche, Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, Ven. Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Chagmay Rinpoche, Dorlop Nedo Rinpoche, etc. gathered at the airport to receive and escort the sacred Kudung of Gyalwa Shamarpa back to Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (K.I.B.I.). Monastic monks and nuns, high lamas, and lay devotees from all over the world had gathered in K.I.B.I.. His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa preceded an impressive procession, leading the Kudung into the main shrine hall of K.I.B.I. where all devotes could pay their respects.
His Holiness Karmapa is conducting the ceremonies for Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche and will accompany the Kudung to Kalimpong on the 1st of July.
Shamar Rinpoche’s body (respectfully called kudung in Tibetan) has been presented at the funeral home in Renchen, Germany, where few thousands of people came to pay homage to Shamar Rinpoche’s body from different Karma Kagyu Centers worldwide during the week. His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje arrived on the 18th to partake in the traditional ceremonies to his teacher, the second lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu tradition, Shamar Rinpoche.
June 19th, 2014 – His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje along with Karma Kagyu Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns and lay practitioners performed a traditional Buddhist ceremony today. After the ceremony, Rinpoche´s body was escorted out of the funeral home. Several dignitaries including His Excellency the Ambassador of Bhutan to the UN in Geneve, Mr. Daw Penjo and hundreds of devotees attended the ceremony, wanting to pay their last homage to Rinpoche. Shamar Rinpoche’s body, accompanied by His Holiness Karmapa will travel New Delhi and forward.