Events Around the World in the FPMT Mandala
- for information and rejoicing!
Terry Leach's Inspiring Death
Terry was the center director of Mahamudra Retreat Centre, New Zealand, until his death on Feb 27th.
Roy Fraser, co-founding director of Mahamudra Retreat Centre was helping Terry, and sent the following beautiful account of Terry's last days.
"So I sat with Terry for a while this afternoon. When I arrived Terry appeared asleep, but when I slipped my hand into his the eyes slowly opened and a big smile spead over his face. His welcome was barely audible. As I told him what was happening at the Centre over Losar the smile stayed on his face and he slipped in and out of being there.
Then when he was strongly present I was moved to tell him everything here was just as it should be and that any time he wanted to go he should not worry about anything here as it was all taken care of. His smile broadened. Then I said all he had to worry about was not forgetting all us when he got to the pure land. He said but which one, there were so many. I laughed and said that was his choice. Then he was gone.
I sat for 1/2 hour or so with our hands clasped, each breath seeming an effort. Then he came back and needed a pee. So I thought at least that is working, liquids going in and out. Then after, when I was lifting up in the bed to make him comfortable, again struck by how he has completely wasted away. So light I almost throw him over the pillow. Then again he drifted away, exhausted after that effort. But the whole process of controlling his pain is working well and he is less foggy in his mind. So as much as possible he is comfortable and seems to be in an accepting space."
Lama Zopa Rinpoche responded with the following humorous response to Roy's account:
“What Roy said was very helpful, I think this was excellent what Roy did, it actually fits with who Roy and Terry are. They are both are ex hippy, useful guys. Wow - what the ex hippy, useful guy did at the end of Terry’s life, I think it was very good.
Now Roy should do this all over New Zealand with those who are dying, including the sheep around Mahamudra Center.
Roy should put his hand on the sheep’s hand, when the sheep are dying and sing his song: “let go, let go, let go, let go, let go,” maybe they don’t understand about the pure land, but Roy can tell them they just need to think about coming back to Mahamudra Center, that is the pure land, to come back to Mahamudra Center and to study and meditate there, this is their pure land.
Now Roy’s hand is so precious, so Roy needs to protect it, put a glove on it and keep the glove on at all times and when Roy passes away Roy’s hand should be gold leafed and kept on the altar at Mahamudra Center, this would be the first holy hand in New Zealand, maybe the first holy hand in the world!
So I, Zopa, with huge clapping hands (not with Roy’s hand) and with feet clapping also, towards Roy and also Terry!
Lama Zopa”
Previously Roy had kept us inspired with these accounts of Terry:
"...Terry there listening to instructions about what to do with his corpse and he didn't once flinch. He is just so tuned into doing it, just so accepted it and prepared. This world has already finished for him, all the arrangements are made.
...went to see Terry yesterday. We were chatting away (well I was, Terry doesn't do that much anymore) and told him I was having a hard time getting someone to put up there hand to take my job. Despite his pain (a not so good day) a big smile spread over his face and he slowly raised his skinny wee arm till it was straight up. Even so close to death he still has the mind to serve his Guru.
and..
...Went to Terry's to bestow rabjang vows yesterday. He made an effort to stand as [Khensur Jampa Thegchog Rinpoche] entered and it looked like his robes were hanging on a clothes hanger. But his tiny shrunken head on top of the mountain of robes was radiant. Rinpoche commented to Terry and again to me on the home how radiant he was and there was no need to worry about his future, he was preparing for his death very well. Again I'm reminded of Kyabje Zopa's advice to pray we can get a disease like cancer and when we do embrace it like a friend. It gives such an opportunity to prepare."
Development Department Update
FPMT’s Mongolia Fund has received over $50,000 in its latest campaign. This support will be used to offer food to the monks in Mongolia, maintain the Dolma Ling Community Center and Soup Kitchen, maintain the English language program, and support all of the other activities being carried out by FPMT in Mongolia. More
Photographer Ven. Roger Kunsang
The Sera Je Food Fund has a new source of support that is a direct outpouring of generosity from concerned practitioners. The FPMT Foundation Store now offers a donation opportunity at the point of check out when shopping on the Store webpage. To date there has been food offered for over 512 monks for one month which is $6,136 in donations. See the “check out” webpage. Learn more about Sera Je Monastery and the role it plays in helping to preserve the Mahayana tradition.
We also just conducted a “Work a Day for Rinpoche” Fundraising Campaign. The intention of the campaign was to coordinate the donation of one day’s work income from students and supporters to be dedicated on the Day of Miracles, March 3rd – an auspicious date for giving. This inspiring campaign collected over 800 pledges and has generated more than $82,000 in donations with an additional $11,000 in pledges still to be received. See the list of donors. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
One last announcement – Mystic Tibet: An Outer, Inner and Secret Pilgrimage is coming! This is the long-awaited documentary on Lama Zopa’s return pilgrimage to Tibet in 2002. It will be available at FPMT centers in the near future. It is a must see for serious practitioners. View the trailer.
Join us in rejoicing in the merit created by the wonderful practitioners and donors whose kindness, gracious generosity, and love for the Dharma have shone brightly in the last few weeks!
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