On behalf of Yongey Buddhist Center, Dorje Palmo, accompanied by Patricia Strong on March 15th traveled to Palpung Sherabling Monastery to sponsor Puja and Offerings. The Puja was held on 22nd March, the 49th day after our beloved Lama Soto’s passing. Of special note, on the day following the arrival of Lama Soto’s body to Sherabling, there was an auspicious double rainbow in the sky indicating how truly special Lama Soto was.

Upon arrival at Dharmasala, the travelers were greeted by Drubpan Lama Tsering (retreat master at Sherabling), Khenpo Gyurme (Tergar Oselling Buddha College Principal) and Ani Rutao from Tergar Oselling Monastery in Nepal. The group lunched at a Tibetan restaurant and then journeyed up to Sherabling through the Himalayan foothills.

At Sherabling, Dorje Palmo and Patricia attended daily Pujas leading up to the special commemorative Puja on March 22nd. They also toured the stupas and saw the many prayer flags that were newly hung for Lama Soto and the special long life prayer flags for Mingyur Rinpoche’s welfare during his retreat. Dorje Palmo lit butter lamps that were prepared for Lama Soto by his family, and later, a lunch was held in the quarters of Lama Soto’s uncle Lama Pajak. On March 22nd, Dorje Palmo presented offerings for Puja at the main temple at Sherabling on behalf of the Yongey Buddhist Center and our precious Guru Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. The chanting at Puja was very beautiful and a fitting tribute to Lama Soto. The Tsok was distributed to over 1000 in attendance and others at Sherabling. Upon their return to Delhi the next day, Dorje Palmo was fortunate to have an audience and visit with His Holiness Tai Situ Rinpoche.

From Delhi, Dorje Palmo and Patricia journeyed on to Nepal and to Tergar Oselling Monastery where they were greeted by Abbot Lama Lekshey and shown the new construction work. While there, Mingyur Rinpoche’s mother, Amala, hosted a lunch after which they paid visit and received blessings from Mingyur Rinpoche’s grandfather. After the visit, Lama Lekshey escorted them to the Boudhanath Stupa where prayers were said as they circumambulated the stupa. Before leaving Kathmandu, Dorje Palmo hosted a lunch with Amala, Chimila and Kimchok Palmo (Mingyur Rinpoche’s sister-in-law and niece), and the Monastics and staff from Tergar Oselling.

In appreciation, Dorje Palmo and Patricia want to acknowledge the wonderful care and attentiveness provided by Khenpo Gyurme, Drubpan Lama Tsering, Ani Rutao and Abbot Lama Lekshey who made every effort to ensure their stay at Sherabling and their visit to Tergar Oseling was most enjoyable.