Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, a Tibetan exile and renowned spiritual leader worldwide, made Cottage Grove his home for a decade
         
He was renowned for his teaching, certainly, but also for much more - his rich melodic chanting voice, his artistry  as a sculptor and painter, his skill as a physician.   He served as a spiritual guide to hundreds of students in Cottage Grove  and thousands more worldwide, always a fountain of activity, working tirelessly to help others. 

The term "rinpoche" means "precious one." It is an honorific title implying great respect and affection.  It was the title bestowed on His Eminence Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, a highly realized Tibetan Buddhist Master, who passed away during a meditation retreat at his center in Tres Coroas, Brazil, on Nov. 17.   Rinpoche, who resided in Cottage Grove from 1980 to 1989, established the Dechhen Ling Meditation Center on North River Road.  It became Chagdud Gonpa, the name of his monastery in Tibet, and his first center in the West. 

1930-2002 
                          
Rinpoche was born Aug. 12, 1930, in Kham, Tibet. He was trained from a very young age by the great masters of Tibetan Buddhism in ritual, meditation and philosophy.  Rinpoche fled Tibet in 1959 over the Himalayan Mountains following the Chinese invasion. Eventually he settled in Southern India where he assisted in organizing refugee camps. He met his wife, American journalist Jane Tromge, now known as Chagdud Khadro, in Nepal. 

Later Rinpoche relocated to the Trinity Alps region of Northern California to establish a retreat center there. In addition to the retreat center, he maintained an extensive teaching schedule, initiated a translation project of sacred texts, and established a humanitarian foundation. The foundation, Mahakaruna, which means `great compassion,' continues to the present day, helping support Tibetan refugees. 

In 1979, at the request of his teacher, HH Dudjom Rinpoche, and several Western students, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Eugene. He visited Cottage Grove at the invitation of Elizabeth Chandra LaHusen, and was immediately enchanted with the area. 
                                      
"On a global level, Rinpoche could be one of Cottage Grove's most preeminent citizens," said LaHusen. "He worked tirelessly for inner peace and putting others before self. He dedicated every moment of his life to helping others. He taught that the most important thing a spiritual practitioner needs to have is pure motivation for undertaking spiritual practice. He shared his knowledge and the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with as many people as possible and invited great Tibetan Masters to come here and teach." 

His experiences of loss during the Communist takeover of Tibet included the death of his mother, his teachers, and ultimately of his country. What he learned from them contributed to - and was reflected in - his teachings about impermanence.  Cottage Grove now has two resident lamas, a husband-and-wife team, Lamas Trinley and Dorje. "Rinpoche often spoke about the traditional teachings of impermanence - the fact that everything that comes together falls apart; everyone who is born is bound to die," said Trinley.  "This strengthened his resolve to engage in a spiritual path." 

"His life was an example to all who knew him: a teaching on how to put others' concerns before those of oneself. He offered the dharma (Buddhist teachings) ceaselessly, joyfully, and without any restraint to anyone who asked for them. He often said that spiritual practice should be like a mirror that we use to recognize our own faults and capacities, rather than a window that we look out to judge others. 

"With his passing, he has again turned the wheel of the dharma, offering his students a very direct teaching on impermanence. He will be known for his kindness, his limitless compassion, his humor and his concern for the happiness of all beings." 

In 1995, at the age of 65, Rinpoche relocated to southern Brazil. There he developed a rural retreat center, teaching throughout the Southern Hemisphere and still making regular pilgrimages to Asia.  Last year in April, Rinpoche returned to Cottage Grove for the last time, to celebrate the 21st annual Tara Tsog.  At this time, people from all over the world are gathering in Brazil for  traditional prayer services for a period of 49 days. There will also be ongoing services at Rigdzin Ling in the Trinity Alps for 49 days.  (Photo: A  feast is set to honor the late Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche.)

Rinpoche is survived by his wife, two children, one grandson and a sister.  Memorial contributions may be made to Mahakaruna Foundation, P.O.  Box 279, Junction City, CA 96408, or Chagdud Gonpa, Dechen Ling Fund, 198 N. River Rd., Cottage Grove, OR 97424.
 

© 2002 Cottage Grove Sentinel   Photos by Jared Paben