The Passing of Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup Photo Gallery
Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup Rigsel (1940-2011) tirelessly offered his service to accomplishing the wishes of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche for almost 40 years at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. During those years, he touched the lives of thousands of students, taking care of the monks and nuns of Kopan as well as international Dharma students. In January 2011, he received a diagnosis of advanced stomach cancer. In July 2011, he stepped down of as abbot of Kopan.
On September 7, 2011 at 11:10 p.m., Lama Lhundrup stopped breathing and passed into clear light meditation, which concluded on September 9. His holy body was cremated on September 12 at Kopan. On September 18, the cremation stupa was opened and many holy relics were found. Beginning on September 5 and continuing through October 28, which was the 49th day of his passing, round-the-clock prayers and pujas were made at Kopan and many more prayers and pujas were offered at monasteries and FPMT centers throughout the world.
We are honored to share a selection of photos taken in the days leading up to his passing and during the activities that followed.
 Lama Lhundrup preparing to move rooms, September 4, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Lama Lhundrup on the move to new residential apartment, September 4, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Lama Lhundrup says goodbye to the main gompa at Kopan as he is moved to his retreat apartment the evening of September 4, 2011. |
 Lama Lhundrup settling into Chenrezig apartment, September 4, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Lama Lhundrup receiving a blessing from Lama Zopa Rinpoche, September 5, 2011. Photos by Jo Hathaway |
 Lama Lhundrup sitting with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, September 5, 2011. Photos by Jo Hathaway |
 Lama Lhundrup reciting "King of Prayers" with Vens. Kunkhen and Thardoe early morning, September 6, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Lama Lhundrup offers a khata to Dr. Bishnu, September 6, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Nuns offering pujas outside Lama Lhundrup’s room, September 8, 2011. At Kopan, continuous pujas for Lama Lhundrup were offered from September 6 - October 28, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Lama Lhundrup's passing was announced to the general public by means of this noticeboard, September 10, 2011. Photo by Jo Hathaway. |
 Preparing Lama Lhundrup's cremation stupa. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Lama Lhundrup's cremation stupa. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Lama Lhundrup's cremation stupa. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 The procession of Lama Lhundrup's holy body to cremation site. Notice crown placed on Lama Lhundrup's head. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Procession of Lama Lhundrup's holy body to cremation site, September 12, 2011. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 Lama Lhundrup's cremation stupa. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 Khenrinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi and Dagri Rinpoche during cremation puja, September 12, 2011. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 Khenrinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi and Dagri Rinpoche at the cremation puja, September 12, 2011. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 Fire offering to the holy body of Lama Lhundrup, September 12, 2011. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Fire offering to the holy body of Lama Lhundrup, September 12, 2011. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Dagri Rinpoche and Lama Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, September 18, 2011. Photo courtesty of Ani Fran. |
 Lama Zopa Rinpoche examines Lama Lhundrup's relics. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 Lama Lhundrup's ashes are carefully examined for the presence of relics. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 Hundreds wait to receive the first blessings from Lama Lhundrup's recently collected relics. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 Inviting Lama Lhundrup's relics from main gompa to his bedroom. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 The procession of Lama Lhundrup's relics. Photo by Ven. Thubten Sangmo. |
 The collection of Lama Lhundrup's relics. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Some of Lama Lhundrup's relics. Photo by Benny Soh. |
 Lama Lhundrup's green pearl relic. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 After Lama Lhundrup's death, light offerings were made constantly until the 49th-day puja. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 Lama Lhundrup's 49th-day puja was attended by nearly 1,000 Sangha members. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |
 Lama Lhundrup's 49th-day puja in Kopan Monastery's main gompa. Photo courtesy of Ani Fran. |