Lama Norlha Rinpoche
in Memoriam 1938-2018

Our precious teacher, Lama Norlha Rinpoche, passed into parinirvana on February 19, 2018, the fourth day of Losar, after a long illness.

In the final weeks of his life, Lama Norlha Rinpoche was fortunate to receive visits from His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa and His Holiness Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang. The day before he passed away, Rinpoche was blessed with a visit from His Holiness Karmapa, who bestowed the empowerment of Buddha Akshobya on Rinpoche in his room. Rinpoche had very much aspired to receive this empowerment from the Karmapa, and His Holiness fulfilled his wish with profound warmth and care. This was the second time His Holiness visited Rinpoche during his illness. Karmapa Khyenno!

His Holiness Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang was also extraordinarily caring toward Lama Norlha Rinpoche during his illness, visiting him and bestowing the Akshobhya empowerment on January 3, 2018. During that visit, His Holiness spoke about his 40-year connection with Lama Norlha Rinpoche and his sadness at Rinpoche's illness, calling him one of the pioneers of establishing the Buddhadharma in America. He expressed joy in the accomplishments of Rinpoche and his longtime students, and his wish that we continue our Dharma practice and Dharma activities, reminding us that the only source of real happiness and peace is liberation through study, contemplation, and meditation on the Dharma.


HH Sakya Trichen giving Lama Norlha Rinpoche the Akshobya empowerment on January 3, 2018
Immediately after Lama Norlha Rinpoche left his body, Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa was informed and began prayers. Guru Vajradhara stayed in close touch over the next several days to give advice and oversee ritual preparations. Many other great masters, including His Holiness Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang, Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche, Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, and Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, made prayers as well. KTC Monastery sangha chanted special practices during the 49 days following Rinpoche's passing, including Akshobya, Red Chenrezig, Dorje Sempa and Amitabha.

On the first day of Akshobya practice for Lama Norlha Rinpoche, we were blessed by a visit from Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche. Khenpo Rinpoche, accompanied by Khenpo Urgyen, Lama Karma Drodul and Ani Karuna, came to perform The Guru Yoga in Four Sessions (Tun Shi Lama Naljor) before Lama Norlha Rinpoche's kudung. Khenpo Rinpoche said that he had no doubt that Lama Norlha Rinpoche was already in a pure land, but was performing the practice in order to fulfill a promise he had made to Lama Norlha Rinpoche before he passed away.
Afterwards, Khenpo Rinpoche spoke to the assembly about his pure connection with Lama Norlha Rinpoche over 40 years, and about Lama Norlha Rinpoche's life accomplishments and extraordinary qualities.
We rejoice in the great good fortune that Lama Norlha Rinpoche was able to privately receive the Akshobya empowerment, first from HH Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang, then from Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, and finally on the day before his passing, from HH Gyalwang Karmapa. Khenpo Rinpoche mentioned that it was very auspicious that Lama Norlha Rinpoche received these empowerments from these great masters, and that it prepared him well for his passing.
Khenpo Rinpoche concluded by stating the importance of being kind to one another at this time, and that we take care of this monastery that Lama Norlha Rinpoche so lovingly established for our future.



Beginning at 5:00 am on Wednesday, the Tibetan 6th, we began chanting Akshobya and preparing the kudung for cremation. We were blessed to have special guests for the service, including Chamsing-La (HH Karmapa's sister), Tsewang Rinpoche from Danang Foundation, Lama Sangye, Lama Tratop, Lama Nyima, and representatives from the Karmapa Service Society.

Soon after Lama Norlha Rinpoche's cremation, there was a rainbow near the sun over the Maitreya Center. The sun was unusually bright, and the winter day was as warm as summer. Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, after viewing the photos, said that the rainbow was a very rare and auspicious sign. He said the rainbow was a proper "འཇའ" ("ja"), which is translated as rainbow but is distinguished from the common bow-shaped rainbow caused by rain. This rarer type near the sun is considered auspicious to see in these circumstances. Situ Rinpoche said, "it is a real, genuine sign, and it is very, very good."
Prayers and Offerings in Tibet and India
Sherabling Monastery
Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa arranged for practices to be performed for Lama Norlha Rinpoche for 49 days at Sherabling Monastery in India.
Kala Rongo Nunnery
Lamas and nuns from Kala Rongo, Lama Norlha Rinpoche's nunnery in Eastern Tibet, chanted the Kagyu Gurtso, and performed 100 Nyungne fasting practices and 100 Shing Drup during the first week after he passed away. The nuns chanted the following practices for one week each for the rest of the 49 days:
- Akshobhya
- Vajrayogini
- Jinasagara
- Chakrasamvara
- Mindroling Vajrasattva
- Amitabha
A large ceremony was held at Kala Rongo, attended by the lamas and nuns from Kala Rongo; the rinpoches, khenpos, lamas and monks of Korche Monastery; the staff and students of Yonten Gatsal Ling Children's School; and the local families of the region. Everyone made prayers together and lit lamps dedicated to Lama Norlha Rinpoche arranged in the shape of his name and auspicious symbols.
Korche Monastery
Monks at Korche Monastery in Nangchen, Tibet, where Lama Norlha Rinpoche completed two three-year retreats in a row between the ages of 14 and 20 years old, chanted the following practices for one week each over the 49 days:
- Akshobhya
- Ritual of the Sixteen Elders
- Pema Benzra
- Mindroling Vajrasattva
- Vairochana
- Amitabha
- Jinasagara

Other Offerings In Tibet

Thousands of mantras and aspiration prayers dedicated to Lama Norlha Rinpoche were carved into rocks in Eastern Tibet.




Visiting Lamas During the 49 Days of Services at KTC Monastery
Lamas from KTD Monastery and Karme Ling Retreat Center made offerings and joined us for Akshobya chanting.





His Holiness Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang Performs Vajrayogini Ritual
In his great kindness, His Holiness Sakya Trichen Dorje Chang performed a ceremony based on the Vajrayogini Sadhana for Lama Norlha Rinpoche's Parinirvana. Several lamas accompanied him from Tsechen Kunchab Ling in Walden, NY.







The Memorial Service
Friends and sangha members joined together for a memorial service on March 25 to remember the kindness of Lama Norlha Rinpoche. The service included a video message from Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, a summary of Lama Norlha Rinpoche's life, a video showing highlights from his life, personal remembrances, Chenrezig chanting, and a devotional song offered by Yungchen Lhamo. It concluded with offerings and the lighting of butterlamps. It was wonderful to be together with so many old and new friends.









Full video of the Memorial Service, including video message from Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, and personal stories:
The 49th Day
We were deeply honored that Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche from KTD Monastery joined us for Amitabha practice on Sunday, April 8, Lama Norlha Rinpoche's 49th day.



His Holiness Karmapa Performs the Concluding Purification
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa arrived in the afternoon to perform the Jang Chok purification ritual from the Amitabha practice for Lama Norlha Rinpoche's 49th Day. This day coincided with the observance of Qing Ming, when the Jang Chok ritual is performed to liberate the deceased by burning their names.









Rainbows on the Final Day of Prayers
Rainbows began appearing in the sky on April 9 as we began the final morning fire puja ceremony for Lama Norlha Rinpoche's 49 days, and continued appearing throughout the day.








Videos of Rainbows on April 9, 2018
Videos of first rainbows at 10am
Video of rainbow at 1:30pm
Video of rainbow at 4pm
Photos and Stories in Remembrance
We asked friends of KTC to submit their favorite memories of Lama Norlha Rinpoche, as well as their favorite photos.
Angelo Castello
Ann Henderson
Anna Cognetto
Brett Blyler
Charlotte Kelly
Christina Di Marco
Dr. Robert Gaston
Earl Davis
Fanny Mandelberger
Fred Cooper
Jenni and Simone
Jonell, Hanna, Marjan and Jan Frank
Julie Radford
Karma Tashi Norbu (Paul Melia)
Kathy Senecal
Kathye Gentry
Keith Luck
Lama Jamdron
Lama Samzang
Lorraine Hausman
Losang Dechen (Kris Lopez)
Michele Monforte
Riley
Rowan Jackson
Surya Das
Susan Barbarisi
Thinking of My Teacher on a Winter Night
Wendy Cloutier
Zangmo