The Life and Passing of Lady Konchok

This article is a repost of the June 13 emailing sent by the Shambhala News Service to the global community.

Lady Könchok Enters Samadhi

Lady Könchok Palden, mother of the Kongma Sakyong, Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche, entered samadhi Wednesday, June 12, 2019, Guru Rinpoche day in the Buddhist holy month of Saga Dawa. In addition to the Sakyong and his family, she is survived by her husband Pema Gyaltsen Rinpoche, her son Gyurme Dorje Lama and his family, and relatives in Lhasa.

Further details on practices to be conducted in connection with her death and arrangements for her funeral will be posted on the Shambhala Times as soon as possible.

Lady Könchok Palden was born in Kham in eastern Tibet in 1931. At an early age she was ordained as a nun and spent more than a dozen of her early years, including most of her teens, in retreat, under the guidance of the renowned yogi Lama Tuga.

In 1959, she joined the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche on his escape from Tibet. The journey took six months, during which time they were joined by hundreds of Tibetans hoping to reach sanctuary in India.

While in India, Lady Könchok gave birth to the Sakyong, the Vidyadhara’s first son and heir, in Bodhgaya, the site of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment. Then a few years later, she married Lama Pegyal and lived with her family in the north Indian town of Bir, near the foothills of the Himalayas. In the Tibetan community, she was known for her deep practice.

In 1992, she came to the United States to live, spending time in residence at Karmê Chöling in Vermont and then at Marpa House in Boulder. She was a much-loved figure throughout the Shambhala world, often attending teachings given by the Sakyong and befriending all generations.

In 2003, Lady Könchok suffered a stroke, underwent a remarkable recovery, but required regular dialysis. A care team of Shambhala members has given her sustained support throughout this last phase of her life, and she was able to live with her family in the supportive, contemplative environment of Marpa House.

As with much of her life, she spent most of her last years in meditation, reading and reciting sacred texts, and taking part in pujas. She enjoyed practicing, spending time with her grandchildren, and forever extending her heart to others.

As Lady Könchok is an accomplished dzokchen practitioner, there is no need for any sukhavati, or burning of her photo. For those who wish to, the Sakyong recommends that we could accumulate the following: Vajrasattva mantras, Seven-Line Supplication to Guru Rinpoche, or OM MANI PADME HUM mantras. Rather than helping her, these practices will be a way for us to join in her practice during this transitional period.

Condolences may be sent to David Brown at dbrown@shambhala.org. They will be collected and passed on to the Sakyong and family via the Sakyong Potrang.

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